"the only local person"

Yes, agreed the squatters are a major problem. But, I also, agree that the squatters are absolutely no reason to cancel vacation plans here. For most visiting tourists, I doubt that they even realize that there is an issue with the squatters. For residents, si, but someone here for one or two weeks, no. I would be rather appalled that someone would even consider changing their plans to come here to switch to somewhere like Playa del Carmen which is much more touristed, and most probably has similar, if not the same issues, with squatters on public lands.