Mexico City metro authorities move to regulate informal markets

Authorities in the Mexico City metropolitan area are taking steps to reorganise and control informal street markets that have long been associated with sanitation problems, illegal alcohol sales, traffic congestion and safety risks. In a joint agreement, officials from Iztapalapa and Nezahualcóyotl signed a covenant to restructure the tianguis on Avenida Texcoco, aiming to remove abandoned debris, improve lighting, clear the roadway, and prevent illegal activities that have hampered emergency vehicle access and contributed to flood hazards during the rainy season.

Meanwhile, residents of Naucalpan have called on municipal and state officials to intervene after a violent clash broke out at the weekly Centenario tianguis, where alleged market leaders demanded payment of fees while armed, leading to public disorder and police reports. Neighbors are urging authorities to enforce stricter regulation to curb intimidation and ensure the market operates safely.

Both incidents highlight ongoing challenges faced by local governments in managing informal commerce that affects mobility, public health and community safety across the densely populated corridor between Mexico City and the State of Mexico.