BY COMFORT OGBONNA

Prosecutors in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo accused an American couple of canceling 13 credit card payments to a hotel chain in 2022, totaling approximately $116,500. The canceled payments were deemed fraudulent by authorities.

The couple, identified as the Akeos, denied any wrongdoing. They stated that their credit card company had refunded the payments after the resort group, The Palace Company, failed to deliver services as promised. The dispute led to their arrest on March 4, and they had been detained in a Mexican prison since then.

Efforts to secure their release gained momentum when former U.S. President Donald Trump became aware of the case and raised it with Matt Boehler, who then helped facilitate negotiations. These discussions eventually led to an agreement between the Akeos and The Palace Company.

As part of the resolution, both sides agreed to a settlement that includes a donation of $116,587.84 to a nonprofit organization in Mexico that supports orphaned children.

In a joint statement, the Akeos and The Palace Company expressed regret over the situation, acknowledging the unfortunate nature of the incident and confirming that the matter has been resolved amicably.