Alcohol Sales Hours Shortened

Friday, Apr21. Mazatlan’s mayor Alejandro Higuera announced that as of May 1, all stores, depositos and supermarkets will be prohibited from selling beer, wine or liquor after 8 PM. Francisco Fernando Cavazos, who represents liquor-licensed supermercados at the chamber of commerce, predicted the move will generate a proliferation of “aguajes”, private neighborhood houses which operate as speakeasies, selling beer at all hours of the night. Patricia

Peraza de Rochin, state president of the national restaurant association Canirac expressed concern that minors would have easier access to alcohol if law abiding businesses are compelled to yield to the clandestine vendors “who sell indiscriminately to minors”. Both business leaders called for increased vigilance and enforcement to control the public’s access to alcoholic beverages.