A group of street vendors and local traders affiliated with the Union of Fixed and Semi-Fixed Street Vendors and Merchants from Mérida, Yucatán, staged a protest for the third time in two weeks outside the city hall.
Like previous occasions, this demonstration seeks a resolution to what they claim are corrupt practices by officials from the Market Subdirectorate.
Addressing a Request from Mérida Street Vendors
While the protesters gathered outside city hall, Juan Adrián Várguez Magaña, the union’s president, and two other individuals met with Julio Enrique Sauma Castillo, the city secretary of Mérida. Sauma assured them that one of their demands—to return the stalls to those from whom they were taken—would be addressed.
“There are 230 vendors here in the city center and 40 in the outskirts. Sauma committed to organizing a meeting to ensure the return of our spaces and prevent further disturbances,” stated Várguez Magaña.
Protesters emphasized that one of their grievances is the “illegal fees” charged by a group of individuals to avoid displacing them from their vending spots.
“They arbitrarily demand payment—either 10,000 or 15,000 pesos—and if you don’t have the money, they say, ‘Pay now, because it’ll cost more later in the day,'” added Roberto Marrufo.
Street vendors allegedly collect illegal fees
Efrén Ciau shared that he paid 10,000 pesos to an individual identified as “Israel Matos.” Although Matos is not officially employed by Mérida City Hall, he operates on behalf of Roberto Enrique Castillo González, the Markets Subdirector.
“When he started working with Matos, he used to collect fees while riding a bicycle. Now he arrives in a Tacoma truck to demand payment,” Ciau explained.
The leaders indicated that during the meeting, they secured the return of the spaces that had been taken away. However, no specific actions were discussed regarding combating the alleged corruption.
