Puebla authorities face scrutiny over bar regulations near schools

Authorities in Puebla and San Andrés Cholula are facing scrutiny over the enforcement of regulations prohibiting bars and cantinas near schools and universities. Puebla Mayor José “Pepe” Chedraui has targeted the Karuzo Cultural Forum for allegedly violating the 200-meter minimum distance requirement from the Planet English language school.

In response, supporters of the forum argue that the law is being applied inconsistently. They point to over 120 other establishments, including popular venues like El Ídolo de México and La Pasita, as well as businesses near the BUAP Faculty of Philosophy and Letters and various high schools, that continue to operate without restrictions. Protesters claim Karuzo is a cultural center and an outlet for free expression that has operated for over a decade.

Additionally, Deputy José Luis Figueroa Cortés has called for stricter oversight in both Puebla and Cholula. He alleged that some businesses bypass regulations by registering as restaurants or snack shops while functioning as cantinas. Figueroa Cortés also accused some inspectors of allowing irregular operations through alleged illicit payments, noting that these establishments attract underage students and facilitate the sale of alcohol and drugs in university zones.