miches. Members of the Association of Street Craft Vendors in the coastal municipality of Miches (Asovesamiches) protested at the Costa Esmeralda beach cove. Their demand is that they be allowed to operate in the area.
They denounce that they are harassed by hotel owners who do not allow them to sell on the Costa Esmeralda beach.
The president of Asovesamiches, Santiago Rodríguez, stated that handicraft vendors are not allowed to carry out their sales in the area of the beach. This is specifically within the 60 meters established by law.
They denounced that the Tourist Police (Politur) and the private security of the tourist complexes do not allow them to enter the aforementioned beach with their merchandise.
Asovesamiches maintains that the cause of the blockade comes from groups of hotel businessmen. Also from authorities of the Ministry of Tourism, whom they accuse of “drowning” their economy.
The tourist authorities in the area explained that what they are trying to avoid are the slums surrounding the hotels, which have come to promote the development of the coastal municipality.
The artisans consider the actions against them abusive and discriminatory.
They called on the authorities to pay attention to their situation, since more than 100 people who are dedicated to the sale of handicrafts and other activities are being affected, mostly humble parents.
