Longstanding Puerto Aventuras Restaurant Faces Landlord’s Illegal Takeover Attempts

The beloved Latitude 20 restaurant in Puerto Aventuras, a community staple for over 20 years, is embroiled in a heated dispute with its landlord, who is attempting to seize the business through questionable and illegal means. The restaurant, known for its warm atmosphere, and commitment to the community, has faced ongoing harassment despite consistently paying rent and investing millions of pesos in upgrades to the current facilities over the past 10 years. The restaurant is located in the Secret Waters Plaza inside the gated resort community.

Thanksgiving Day Vandalism
In a brazen act of vandalism on American Thanksgiving, the landlord, identified as James H. Harper from the United States, used a hacksaw to sever the restaurant’s water supply. The tinaco and piping, which are not the landlord’s property and lie outside his jurisdiction, were deliberately damaged in an attempt to disrupt operations. 

Customers who were in the restaurant at the time reported that the landlord was using aggressive and foul language and brandishing a hacksaw in an attempt to threaten restaurant owner James A. Stubbs, Puerto Aventuras resident originally from the United Kingdom.

According to Stubbs, this follows a pattern of hostile actions, including the prior removal of the restaurant’s water meter, effectively cutting off access to Aguas del Caribe, the water company which is owned by Puerto Aventuras developer Roman Rivera Torres. It is unknown whether the meter’s removal occurred with the developer’s knowledge and approval. 

Authorities Intervene
Police were immediately called to the scene, and assistance from local security and regulatory bodies, including civil protection, was mobilized. A comprehensive inspection of Latitude 20 found no cause for closure or operational suspension, confirming the restaurant’s adherence to regulations. 

The police directed the landlord and an unidentified woman to leave the property without further incident. Charges were not filed by the business owner largely due the advanced age of the aggressor.

Community Contributions
Currently owned by James A. Stubbs, Latitude 20 has been a beacon of community support in Puerto Aventuras for over 2 decades. Since purchasing the business in 2014, Stubbs and his team have hosted numerous fundraisers supporting local charities, including the Playa del Carmen Rotary Club. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant served as a hub for preparing and distributing meals to families in need within the poblado.

Onlookers were shocked to see police and other officials at this restaurant which has operated peacefully without interruption for many years without incident.

A Pattern of Abuse
This incident highlights a growing concern in Puerto Aventuras about illegal activities, unchecked abuses and the unequal application of the law. Despite clear violations, such acts of vandalism and intimidation often go unpunished, raising questions about accountability and the protection of local businesses.

As the Puerto Aventuras community rallies around Latitude 20, residents are calling for justice and stronger safeguards against such unlawful actions, ensuring that cherished establishments like Latitude 20 can continue to thrive without fear of harassment.