Cozumel Tenants Denounce Foreign Business Owners Over Unpaid Rent and Disorder

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — Local artisans at the traditional Plaza del Sol are calling on municipal authorities to intervene against foreign business owners they say owe significant rent and have created disorder in the shopping center.

Jessica Velez, secretary general of the Vasco de Quiroga Artisans Union, said Monday that the foreign tenants, who operate several spaces on the upper level of the plaza, have been occupying the premises without paying rent. In contrast, other vendors who also fell behind on payments have reached agreements with the city government and are now current.

Velez added that the foreign tenants have been the subject of repeated complaints for hosting loud parties and failing to dispose of their trash properly.

“I think the authorities need to establish order because there are no rules for them. They do whatever they want — they throw parties, and I’ve said many times that coffee and garbage fall on tourists and other vendors in the plaza,” she said.

The union representative expressed hope that municipal officials would take action to resolve the situation.

She acknowledged that some local vendors also face debts due to the low tourist season but have managed to weather the “small crisis” thanks to a 30% discount on rent agreed with the city council.