In San Carlos de Bariloche, Mayor Walter Cortés has enacted a ban on street vending and the activities of windshield cleaners, jugglers, and informal parking attendants known locally as ‘trapitos’. This decision is grounded in complaints from residents who have reported disturbances and intimidation associated with these activities, with over 100 calls logged to the Security Secretariat in the past year. The resolution, designated as Nº 772-I-2026, aims to restore order in public spaces and address ongoing issues that have escalated tensions in the community.

Mayor Cortés, representing the Unión y Libertad (PUL) party, has stated that the action is a response to growing safety concerns, as many residents have expressed frustration regarding the aggressive tactics sometimes employed by informal workers who operate without any regulatory oversight. These individuals are often found at busy intersections where their activities, though often harmless, have led to confrontational situations, prompting the need for regulatory measures to protect both the public and the workers themselves.

The resolution has sparked a controversy within the community, as some residents support the ban as a necessary step towards improving safety and public order, while others argue it further marginalizes vulnerable groups who rely on these informal jobs for their livelihoods. As the discussion unfolds, it highlights the broader challenges faced by local authorities in balancing public safety with social equity in economic opportunities.