The San Miguelito Municipality carried out the eviction of at least 12 commercial establishments located in the Brisas del Golf Park this Tuesday. The action ended with police intervention and several detentions. Since early morning, officials, tools, and clear orders arrived: to dismantle everything. They claim there is an ongoing civil lawsuit and a pending appeal, so they consider the forced removal of structures to be irregular. They point out that the case has not yet been resolved by the courts. Although the Municipality states that notifications were sent since December, those affected assure that this does not authorize the eviction while the legal process is still open. Meanwhile, others were claiming with papers in hand as the park changed its face before the neighbors. The City Council justified the operation by arguing that the businesses were illegally occupying easement areas, a practice —they said— permitted by past administrations. In a matter of hours, what was a commercial area was left empty. On-site, the removal of roofs, structures, and stalls, including food trucks and sales of food, smoothies, and fruits, was observed. Meanwhile, merchants are seeking dialogue with Mayor Irma Hernández and the Municipality's lawyers to demand that the law be respected. Some merchants tried to save what little they could. They assure that they now seek to put order and recover public spaces, although they recognize that the problem comes from years ago. The evicted merchants reject that version and denounce a violation of due process. “Nothing has been closed here,” some commented, visibly hit by the loss of their livelihood. After the operation, the authorities announced that the construction of a recreational park for the community is projected in the area, a work that must go through a bidding process.
