UPDATE: Less than 24 hours after the closure seals were affixed to the Verification Center in Puerto Vallarta, on Saturday it was operating after it was reopened under the protection of the State Police and the Jalisco Prosecutor, who arrived in the city on Friday night. The seals were replaced on Saturday afternoon, but the Verification Center continues to operate.
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – The Responsible Vehicle Verification Center, located at Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio 244 in Puerto Vallarta, was closed Friday afternoon in the midst of a citizen protest that blocked the main access road to the city.
The citizens, who were dissatisfied with the implementation of the vehicle verification program by the state government, gathered in front of the verification workshop next to the Corona brewery at 9:00 am to protest the mandatory emissions testing and verification process that went into effect late last year.
With a blockade on Francisco Medina Ascencio avenue, the road was closed and traffic was in total chaos. Public transportation to the North of the city was suspended. Workers were unable to get to their places of employment. Many tourists missed their flights home.
After several unsuccessful negotiations by the municipal authorities to lift the blockade, at around 4 pm, personnel from municipal regulations arrived to inspect the Responsible Verification Center.
During the inspection, they detected some irregularities considered to be in violation of Trade Regulations, for which reason they proceeded to prepare the corresponding minutes and proceed with the closure of the establishment. This resulted in the acta de clausura (official closure) seals being placed on the door of the verification center.
It was not specified whether this would be a temporary or permanent closure.
Among shouts of “yes we could” the protesters, who blockaded the road from nine in the morning until after four in the afternoon, applauded the official closure of the Verification Center.
Shortly thereafter, the crowd dissipated and the road reopened to traffic.
With reports from Contra Línea
