Cancún Street Vendors Clash with Authorities in Protest

Street vendors in Cancún gathered in protest at the Benito Juarez municipal palace on Tuesday. They are demanding the right to work following an increase in operations against them which led to a significant police mobilization to secure the public building.

The protesters represent a variety of artisans and food vendors from the hotel and beach areas. Many have been working in these areas for over 30 to 40 years. While previous administrations have posed challenges, agreements were reached that allowed the vendors to continue working. However, since the current administration took office in September 2024, the vendors claim they have been prevented from working and are pursued by the National Guard, tourist police, and the Marina. Arrests can last from 12 to 36 hours without the right to leave, according to Elvia Antonio Luciano, general secretary of the Confederation of Workers and Peasants (CTC).

Luciano shared that once arrested, vendors are charged a fine ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 and are not provided with a receipt to validate the payment. The vendors claim they are being harassed, with some being taken off public buses and detained, even when not selling. They feel they have been "blacklisted". Luciano added that the vendors can't even go to Cancún beach with their family without being detected by the police and taken away.

The vendors, numbering between 400 to 500, decided to protest in the Reforma plaza on Tuesday morning. A committee of vendors met with municipal authorities and requested the right to work to support their families. However, they were informed that all matters related to the hotel area fall under federal authority. The municipality agreed to act as a link and set another meeting for Thursday, February 27, where they hope to reach a final agreement.

Luciano stated that they had previously requested a hearing but had not been granted one until this protest took place, which mobilized both members of the municipal police and the National Guard. About 200 members of the CTC who usually work from Las Perlas beach and along the entire Kukulcán boulevard participated in the protest.

Most of the vendors sell necklaces, crafts, fruits, drinks, or offer hair braiding services. The secretary general of the municipality, Pablo Gutierrez Fernandez; a representative of the directorate of Commerce in the Public Way, as well as representatives from the Tourist Police, Human Rights and National Guard participated in the meeting.