A 31-year-old Cuban man, known as Rey, embarked on a journey from Mexico City with his partner to the community of Santa María Moyotzingo in the municipality of San Martín Texmelucan, Puebla. Their intention was to purchase a vehicle advertised on social media. However, the outing took a dangerous turn when Rey was ambushed by armed individuals and shot twice, on Tuesday evening.
Local media reports from Puebla reveal that upon arriving at the designated meeting spot, Rey noticed the presence of the assailants. Attempting to flee, he was struck by at least two bullets, suffering injuries to his right forearm and abdomen.
The attackers also seized cash from Rey, though the exact sum remains undisclosed.
Despite his critical condition, Rey managed to drive to the Carrillo Puerto neighborhood, encountering municipal police officers on patrol. He sought their assistance, which led to paramedics from Civil Protection transporting him to the Texmelucan Integrated Hospital. Owing to the severity of his wounds, he was later transferred to the Traumatology and Orthopedics Hospital in Puebla City. His current health status is unknown, and no arrests have been made.
Pattern of Crimes in Santa María Moyotzingo
The meeting in Santa María Moyotzingo, a district of Texmelucan, fits a troubling pattern of thefts in the region. Criminals lure buyers with attractively priced vehicles on social media, arrange meetings in secluded areas, and then ambush them.
Rey's incident is not an isolated case. Just two days earlier, on April 27, a woman was shot under similar circumstances in the same municipality. On April 18, another potential buyer requested police accompaniment for a transaction in San Cristóbal Tepatlaxco; the sellers never showed, and the police safely escorted him away.
In April, three automotive-related thefts were reported within hours, involving the theft of 240,000 pesos and resulting in two people being shot.
Extending Beyond Texmelucan
This criminal trend is not confined to Texmelucan. In August 2025, the Mexico City Citizen Security Secretariat arrested 40 individuals for extortion in vehicle sales on social media, where victims were beaten or shot, with investigations involving robbery, assault, and homicide.
The attack on Rey is part of a broader pattern of violent assaults against Cubans in the Puebla-Tlaxcala area, a migration corridor often used by those heading north to the United States.
In October 2024, Cuban Yordis Nariño Delgado was shot and killed in Ixtacuixtla, Tlaxcala, with his attackers fleeing to San Martín Texmelucan. In March 2026, four Cuban migrants were tortured and set ablaze in a hotel in Apizaco, Tlaxcala.
The authorities in Texmelucan offer a free police escort service and an OCRA module for vehicle documentation verification, having thwarted at least 12 fraud attempts. Nevertheless, few individuals utilize this service before engaging in transactions.
Understanding the Risks: Vehicle Purchases in Mexico
What safety measures should be taken when buying a vehicle in Mexico?
It's advisable to arrange meetings in public, well-lit areas and consider using a free police escort service. Always verify vehicle documentation through official channels like the OCRA.
Why are Cubans targeted in the Puebla-Tlaxcala region?
The Puebla-Tlaxcala area is a known migration route for Cubans traveling towards the United States, making them vulnerable to criminal activities.