A young man accused the lifeguard of being unpatriotic, but the lifeguard’s version revealed that the flag was placed on a safety flagpole.
Tensions over access to Mexican beaches flared again after a viral TikTok video showed a Mexican tourist arguing with a lifeguard on a Cancun beach, claiming he was being expelled for displaying a Mexican flag. The clip quickly garnered thousands of views and sparked a debate about cultural appropriation, discrimination, and misinterpretations in tourist areas.
In the recording, the visitor claims the lifeguard called for tourist police assistance simply because he decided to display the Mexican flag. “They’re going to kick us out of Cancun for a Mexican flag when it’s Mexican territory. I want you to tell me where it says I can’t put up the flag,” he demanded while recording the incident.
The tourist repeatedly insisted that he was being discriminated against by his own compatriots. In another part of the clip, he states, “This isn’t Germany. This is Mexican territory. Or are you Swiss?” Meanwhile, the tension with the lifeguard escalated.
Later, the young man continued his complaint: “I’m in Mexico. Here’s the man so you can see him and not come to this beach. He’s not offending anyone. This is Mexico. But respect that I’m in my country… He’s harassing me. I’m going to post this on social media and at my hotel.”
The video initially garnered support for the complainant, with users pointing out that several beaches in the country have seen cases where foreign tourists occupy public spaces, preventing Mexicans from having free access. However, the conversation took an unexpected turn when the alleged lifeguard decided to respond publicly.
In his explanation, the lifeguard clarified that he never tried to remove the young man because of the flag, but rather because the tourist had attached it to one of the official flagpoles, used to display the safety flags that indicate sea conditions. “We’re at the Hyatt Ziva. It’s on video that he came and assaulted me. I didn’t ask for anything regarding the flag. He put it on the signpost,” he said.
With this version of events, many users who previously supported the tourist began to change their stance, arguing that using a safety flagpole to support any object, even the national flag, can endanger other beachgoers.
The video reignited criticism of those who use social media to make accusations without full context, as well as the debate about coexistence on beaches saturated with international tourism.
Source: INFOBAE
