On February 10, 2025, Mexico City witnessed a large-scale protest as thousands of public market vendors took to the streets, demanding that their businesses be regularized before a planned digitalization process takes effect. The demonstration, organized by the Movimiento Plural de Comerciantes de Mercados Públicos de la Ciudad de México, disrupted key roads across the capital and drew attention to the growing discontent among traditional market vendors.
By 9:00 AM, groups of merchants had already gathered in strategic locations across the city, including Iztapalapa, Xochimilco, Coyoacán, Miguel Hidalgo, and Gustavo A. Madero. Their ultimate destination: the offices of the Secretaría de Desarrollo Económico (SEDECO) in the Narvarte Poniente neighborhood.
Major Traffic Disruptions as Vendors Block Key Roads
The demonstration significantly impacted traffic flow in Mexico City, causing delays and disrupting public transportation services.
- Protesters blocked the intersection of Cuauhtémoc and Xola avenues in Benito Juárez, affecting Metrobús Line 3.
- Vendors from the San Pedro de los Pinos, Mixcoac, and Tlacoquemecatl markets blocked Eje 6 Sur and Avenida Patriotismo before marching further into the city.
- In the northern part of the city, market vendors marched down Calzada Vallejo, passing near La Raza Hospital.
- Other groups gathered along Calzada de Tlalpan, joining the mobilization from Coyoacán, Tlalpan, and Tláhuac.
Despite the disruptions, the protest remained largely peaceful, with demonstrators chanting slogans demanding economic security and fair treatment under the new policies.
What Are the Vendors Fighting Against?
The protests stem from recent modifications published in the Gaceta Oficial de la CDMX on January 9, 2025, which set new guidelines for the digitalization of public markets. According to vendors, these rules could invalidate their existing registration credentials, potentially threatening their ability to operate legally.
The demonstrators argue that the digitalization initiative disproportionately affects small-scale vendors who lack access to technology or the resources to comply with new administrative requirements. Many fear that the reforms could lead to increased bureaucracy, additional costs, or even the forced displacement of long-established market stalls.
Organizations such as the Movimiento Nacional por el Rescate de los Mercados Públicos, Mi Mercado Pro-Hogar, and Mercados Unidos have joined the protest, amplifying demands for a fair and transparent transition.
Strategic Gathering Points for the Megamarch
According to the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC), vendors converged from various points across the city before marching toward SEDECO headquarters. Key gathering locations included:
- Iztapalapa: Anillo Periférico Oriente and Avenida Tláhuac; Santa Martha Acatitla
- Xochimilco: Anillo Periférico Sur and Avenida Muyuguarda; Glorieta de Vaqueritos
- Coyoacán: Estadio Azteca; Avenida Antonio Delfín Madrigal
- Miguel Hidalgo: Metro Auditorio; Avenida Felipe Carrillo Puerto
- Azcapotzalco: Arena Ciudad de México; Avenida de las Granjas
- Benito Juárez: Metro Normal, Metro Potrero, and Estela de Luz
The Future of Mexico City’s Public Markets
Public markets have been an integral part of Mexico City’s economic and cultural fabric for decades. As the government pushes for modernization and digital integration, tensions between policymakers and vendors are likely to persist.
The SEDECO has yet to issue a formal response to the protest, but vendors remain steadfast in their demand for negotiations. Many argue that while digitalization could bring benefits, it must be implemented with equity, transparency, and safeguards to protect traditional businesses.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the government will adjust its policies or if further protests will escalate across the city.
