Street Vendors in Playa del Carmen Caught Tapping Into CFE Power Lines
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Municipal public lighting inspectors have discovered several street vendors illegally connecting to the power grid operated by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).
Luis Peche Castellanos, head of the Public Lighting Department, said his staff report such cases to the CFE but do not intervene, as it falls outside their jurisdiction.
Suspiciously, the stalls remain connected even after being reported. At the intersection of Lilis and Sin Nombre Avenue, vendors still have power during blackouts.
“We want to be very clear: we report it to the CFE, and if they do nothing, that’s their issue,” Peche said.
The Public Lighting Department continues to inspect street stalls and is in talks with unions to arrange monthly payments for connections, typically used to power one or two light bulbs.
Javier Mendez covers public safety, law enforcement, and legal affairs in Quintana Roo. He monitors official reports from the FGE (State Prosecutor's Office), the Mexican Navy, and municipal police to deliver accurate English summaries of crime, trafficking cases, arrests, and court rulings affecting the Riviera Maya region.Javier has been covering crime and public safety news since 2023, reporting on cases ranging from felony arrests and human trafficking investigations to court proceedings and organized crime-related incidents across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Chetumal. His reporting provides English-speaking residents and travelers with reliable, timely information about safety conditions in Quintana Roo's major tourist destinations.Javier works closely with official government sources and press offices to verify facts before publication, and maintains an archive of law enforcement communications to provide context for ongoing stories. He is dedicated to accurate, factual reporting on complex safety issues that affect both residents and visitors to the region.For story tips: javier@rivieramayanews.mx
