Sheinbaum demands legal compliance for Grupo Carso project in Puebla

President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that the Grupo Carso urban development project in Puebla must strictly adhere to all legal frameworks, including environmental, urban development, and heritage protection regulations. The project, led by businessman Carlos Slim, involves an estimated investment of 4 billion pesos to transform the Paseo de San Francisco and El Alto areas into a complex featuring housing, commerce, lodging, and cultural spaces.

Sheinbaum emphasized that because Puebla contains protected historical sites, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature (INBAL) must oversee the preservation of architectural monuments. She also stressed the importance of transparency, noting that the government must ensure sufficient information is shared with local residents to mitigate potential opposition.

Local reactions to the announcement are divided. Some business owners anticipate increased economic activity and customers, while residents and vendors express concerns regarding the potential loss of the neighborhood's historical identity and traditional customs due to privatization and changes in the local demographic.