Municipality of Lima claims that ice cream seller was not authorized to trade in public spaces

At Plaza San Martín in Cercado de Lima, a group of citizens came out in defense of an ice cream vendor and prevented the Municipality of Lima confiscated his cart. Everything was recorded on video, which generated a stir on social media. The images show how the young ice cream man was walking through the Historic Center when the workers of the commune surround him, snatch his work tool and put it in a truck.

In this regard, the Lima commune issued a statement reporting on what happened. They point out that on March 17, the Audit staff of the Lima commune — within the framework of the powers indicated in Ordinances No. 2200, No. 1787 and No. 1983 and Management Resolution No. D000100-2021-MML-GDE, which approved the Summer 2022 campaign — carried out informal trade control tasks in Plaza San Martín, “doing respect the principle of authority empowered by the Organic Law on Municipalities (27972)”.

They add that during these actions, a person who sold ice cream and who was not authorized to engage in trade in public spaces was urged to withdraw from the place; in the face of the refusal, the supervisory agents proceeded to retain their merchandise.

They point out that “according to paragraph 3 of article 34 of Ordinance No. 2200 — which approves the Administrative Sanctions Enforcement Regime and the Schedule of Administrative Offences and Sanctions of the MML — the retention measure is temporary and is implemented immediately by the inspectors in cases of unauthorized trade or economic activity in public spaces”.

Meanwhile, the Lima commune indicates that “it does not endorse any type of violence, wherever it comes from, and reiterates that all control actions are carried out within the framework of the law and always ensuring the well-being of citizens”. They will therefore continue to carry out their oversight work, “with the aim of enforcing authority and combating informal trade”.

REACTIONS

On social networks, different users highlighted the reaction of people and questioned the attitude that inspectors have towards street vendors who would not have to pay “bribes” to the authorities so that they do not confiscate their street stalls. “A mafia can buy them and coime the serene. Not a simple ice cream maker, that's the difference,” commented one of the users.

“Mafias build illegal warehouses in Barrios Altos, mafias control informal commerce in Round Table, traffic land in conservation areas, etc. But Muñoz's management prefers to act against ice cream makers. The ghost mayor of Lima is very abusive and cowardly,” another tweet reads.

Other netizens also attacked the mayor of the capital, Jorge Muñoz, for not operating in the same way with companies that are also not authorized to operate. “Ice cream man works without a license: confiscation of his work tool, beatings, mother's mentions. Play Land Park operates without a license and defective machines and almost killed a child: derisory fine and respect for his private property,” he tweeted someone else.

For her part, the metropolitan councilor of Lima, Jessica Huamán, asked the Director of Audit and Control, Jonathan Ríos, for detailed information on what happened this morning in Plaza Martín.

“Outrageous to act against people who earn an honest living. Acting considered abusive by many, which should not be repeated anywhere in the country and should be repudiated by the different authorities,” he posted on his Twitter.

“What were the reasons for the confiscation of the object of work of the ice cream seller? What was the fault that the ice cream vendor was making? Under what protocols is the manner in which the object of work of the ice cream vendor is confiscated?” , says the document.

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