70-year-old woman protests in Mérida to demand solutions for an unresolved water crisis
A 70-year-old woman staged an all-day sit-in protest in downtown Mérida on October 16, blocking major streets to demand solutions for a two-year-old unresolved water leak, disputed utility charges, and pending widowhood pension benefits.
Josefina Ramos González began her demonstration at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Calle 60, directly outside the central offices of the Drinking Water and Sewerage Board of Yucatán (JAPAY). Sitting in the middle of the street and blocking vehicular traffic, she demanded a personal audience with JAPAY Director General Francisco Torres Rivas to address a $500-peso water debt linked to a leak she reported more than two years ago.
The protest reflects growing frustration among Mérida residents over the city's ongoing water crisis. For over 16 months, thousands of families across neighborhoods including Ciudad Caucel, García Ginerés, and Colonia Yucatán have endured chronic low water pressure, service interruptions, and extended periods without water supply. According to 2026 JAPAY data, between 35 and 40 percent of potable water produced for the metropolitan area is lost to leaks in the distribution network.
When immediate meetings with top JAPAY officials did not materialize, Ramos moved her protest to the intersection of Calle 61 and Calle 62, outside the State Government Palace, where she publicly demanded to speak with Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena, who assumed office on October 1, 2024.
Despite torrential rainfall throughout the day, Ramos remained seated in the street. Bystanders and passersby provided umbrellas, food, and dry clothing, while municipal police cordoned off the area to ensure her safety. Paramedics dispatched to assess her condition were politely declined.
By 5:00 p.m., JAPAY Director Francisco Torres Rivas personally arrived at the protest site to inform Ramos that her $500-peso water debt had been officially forgiven and that technical crews would inspect her home's water connection. However, Ramos declined to engage with Torres Rivas, stating she would now only meet with Governor Díaz Mena or wait for the scheduled arrival of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who became Mexico's first female president on October 1, 2024.
Broader water infrastructure challenges
Ramos's individual complaint occurs against the backdrop of significant systemic water infrastructure problems in Mérida. JAPAY operates three water treatment plants serving the metropolitan area, with the Mérida I plant in the Cuxtal Ecological Reserve providing approximately 48 percent of the city's water extraction.
In August 2026, JAPAY announced a 3 billion peso infrastructure modernization plan aimed at upgrading Yucatán's water infrastructure and securing long-term water supply. The plan will be implemented in phases over the remainder of the current administration.
The frustration with water service has escalated beyond individual protests. In April 2026, eight families filed legal action with Mexico's Federal Judiciary demanding effective access to water, alleging that JAPAY and Mérida City Council allowed real estate development without proper water feasibility studies.
Multiple grievances addressed
In addition to her water-related complaints, Ramos is seeking assistance with a pending widowhood pension claim before ISSSTE, Mexico's federal social security institute for government workers. ISSSTE provides widowhood pensions that can represent up to 100 percent of the deceased pensioner's benefit and, together with IMSS, covers between 55 and 60 percent of Mexico's population.
State officials confirmed that administrative personnel will assist Ramos with her ISSSTE pension claim. Authorities stated that dialogue channels remain open as public assistance teams continue to monitor her well-being.
