The Mérida City Council has launched an initiative to remove street vendors from the Aro roundabout in the Las Américas area, following repeated complaints from residents about public safety and environmental concerns. The decision was taken after multiple grievances were lodged with local authorities regarding pollution, litter, noise, harm to wildlife, and encroachment on public streets.
Residents of the Las Américas neighborhood have long expressed discontent over the presence of street vendors in the roundabout, citing direct impacts on pedestrian traffic and the environment. The commercial structures obstructed free movement on sidewalks, caused waste accumulation, and fostered the proliferation of harmful wildlife.
According to municipal officials, the removal operation is aimed at preserving urban order and ensuring the safety of pedestrians and residents, while also improving mobility and order in the area. Mérida Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada has emphasized her government’s commitment to an orderly and inclusive city model, where public space is respected and used properly.
As part of this effort, the municipal government is implementing relocation, dialogue, and training programs to support the formalization of street vendors who depend on this activity. Citizens have expressed their backing for these measures, highlighting the need to maintain clean and accessible common areas in the subdivision.
Residents interviewed in the area noted that the presence of these stalls had led to garbage accumulation, unpleasant odors, and a risk to children and seniors walking on the sidewalk. The Mérida City Council’s initiative is seen as a step towards positioning the city as one with the best quality of life in the country.
Source: MVS Noticias
