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Mexico City, October 13 – The Mexico City government has officially requested the return of the Alfonso Reyes Cultural Center, located in the Vista Alegre neighborhood of the Cuauhtémoc borough. This action has been met with strong opposition from Cuauhtémoc Mayor Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, who described the demand as ‘political revenge’ and announced legal recourse.
Cuauhtémoc Mayor Accuses City Government of ‘Political Revenge’
Mayor Rojo de la Vega stated that the city government sent an official letter demanding the handover of the cultural center. She emphasized that the facility has been under the borough’s responsibility since 2009 and has undergone significant improvements. ‘After all these improvements, the Mexico City government sent us an official letter demanding that we hand over this house,’ the official stated.
The mayor urged the city government, led by Clara Brugada, to review the relevant documents and work towards a collaborative solution. ‘If they reject dialogue and intend to use an administrative procedure to displace the borough for political reasons, they will have to explain it to the people,’ she asserted.
Dispute Follows Controversial Closure and Reopening
The city’s demand comes amidst a backdrop of complaints from users, workshop leaders, and local residents who, since August, have protested the center’s closure and its potential concession to the Dr. Simi Foundation. The foundation had undertaken rehabilitation work on the space. Following its reopening on September 29, banners for the ‘Colonia Simi’ program, advertising a community dining hall and consulting rooms, were displayed.
However, as reported by this newspaper on October 3, residents claimed that despite the official opening ceremony, the cultural center remained devoid of cultural activities and access was restricted. At that time, over 1,180 people had joined an initiative to reclaim the venue and demand transparency regarding its use.
Timeline of Events:
- August: Users, workshop leaders, and residents protest the closure of the Alfonso Reyes Cultural Center and its potential concession to the Dr. Simi Foundation.
- September 29: The cultural center reopens, with banners for the ‘Colonia Simi’ program displayed.
- October 3: Residents report that the center remains without cultural activities and access is restricted despite the official reopening.
- October 13: The Mexico City government formally requests the return of the Alfonso Reyes Cultural Center from the Cuauhtémoc borough.
The ongoing dispute highlights tensions between the city and borough governments regarding the management and purpose of public cultural spaces. The Cuauhtémoc borough’s administration is preparing to respond through legal channels, setting the stage for a potential legal battle over the cultural center’s future.
Source: https://www.jornada.com.mx/noticia/2026/10/13/capital/gobierno-de-cdmx-solicita-a-cuauhtemoc-entregar-la-casa-de-cultura-alfonso-reyes
