Cozumel Councilor Questions Authorization of New ATMs in City Center

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — A Cozumel councilor says she does not know who authorized the installation of new ATMs in specific locations in the city center, raising concerns about proper procedures and pedestrian access.

Azalia Belem Gurigutia Be, president of the Urban Development Commission of the Cozumel City Council, emphasized in a telephone interview that the council did not approve the placement of these ATMs in public spaces.

“The council approves the regulatory framework for public life in Cozumel, such as creating regulations, fees, rights, or concessions when it comes to using or exploiting spaces regulated by the city council, whether permanently or temporarily,” Gurigutia Be explained.

She clarified that administrative services like ATMs, which involve construction licenses, land use permits, or temporary public space occupation permits, fall under the operational direction of Urban Development and the Municipal Treasury.

Gurigutia Be expressed doubt about whether a concession exists for the spaces where the ATMs are located, noting that such concessions must go through the council, specifically presented to the Urban Development Commission she chairs. When it’s only administrative authorization, it falls to the technical area.

“As commission president, the appropriate approach is not to generate speculation, but to responsibly review whether the correct processes were followed, and if not, to correct them according to the law; we also won’t allow public spaces to be used without order and transparency,” she added.

She stated they will not allow Cozumel residents’ spaces to be compromised and will ensure the law is not violated, promising a clear solution so citizens are not hindered in their free movement.

Gurigutia Be committed to investigating these permits, noting that as of her statement, there is no official request for permanent ATM installation in public spaces.

She also pledged to inform the public about this case, which is already causing pedestrian flow problems in the city center, with complaints coming both verbally from affected business owners and through social media.

“Income also plays a role here, in case they have any procedure; it’s important to approach the Income Department; if it’s permanent,” it must go through the council, she concluded.