Alessandra Rojo reports attack on Cuauhtémoc municipal staff: ‘They sent people to beat us’
Alessandra Rojo, mayor of Cuauhtémoc, reported an attack on her staff during a public order initiative in the San Cosme area, accusing political rival Diana Barrios of orchestrating the violence.
Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, the mayor of Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City, took to social media to report an attack by around 200 individuals on her municipal staff while they were attempting a public space reordering in San Cosme. This incident occurred as the staff was trying to manage a problem where street vendors had increased from five to twenty-two, allegedly without proper permits. Rojo criticized the local government for failing to mediate and instead suggested they set a trap for her team.
During the altercation, multiple municipal workers were injured, prompting Rojo to highlight the severity of the situation and cite specific political influences, namely Diana Barrios, a deputy with Morena and leader of the Central Historic traders. Rojo's accusations raise significant questions about the political tensions surrounding street vendor management in the area and the safety of public officials performing their duties.
This incident not only highlights the challenges faced by local authorities in managing public order but also sheds light on the ongoing conflicts in urban governance in Mexico City. The feud between Rojo and Barrios exemplifies the deep political divides that can impact municipal operations, especially relating to public spaces and informal commerce, which could result in further street violence and instability if not addressed.