Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — A human rights activist on Wednesday called on municipal authorities to legalize alcohol sales in the Luis Donaldo Colosio neighborhood, arguing the move would curb illegal vendors and generate tax revenue.
Carlos Solis Heredia, national director of the Continental Human Rights Organization, said legalizing alcohol sales would help combat clandestine outlets and allow businesses to operate with official permits.
Solis noted that authorities banned alcohol sales in the neighborhood shortly after its founding 32 years ago to prevent a spike in violence when the settlement was entirely informal. While he acknowledged the measure was appropriate at the time, he stressed the situation has changed dramatically.
“It’s neither profitable nor sustainable for us to remain the ‘ugly duckling’ when we already have 97 percent property titles,” Solis said. “We should be able to sell normally, like in Gonzalo Guerrero or Nicte-Ha. We want the process to be expedited for those requesting beer or alcohol sales. It’s their legitimate right.”
The activist, who also lives in the neighborhood, said legalization would increase municipal revenue.
“With legalization, goodbye to the black market, and there’s order and a wonderful, ample state income that the municipality also needs,” he said. “The illegal trade becomes a thing of the past.”
