Presidential visit comes with security annoyances

Mérida, Yucátan — Strong security is being deployed the federal and state police around the Siglo XXI Convention Center.

The reason is a visit from Mexico’s chief executive. At noon, President Enrique Peña Nieto will chair an event and hand out certificates to graduates of an adult-education program. He arrived this morning with three secretaries of state.

Cars have been banned at three hotels around the convention center. Employees and guests can travel only by foot until the president leaves later in the afternoon.

The Periferico was also shut down when the president’s motorcade arrived.

And Megamedia is reporting that there is confusion at the convention center, where the graduates are having difficulty getting past security. At least 12 trucks and two buses with riot police are in the neighboring Chedraui supermarket parking lot, poised for action if necessary.

There is no word on when the president will return to Mexico City, and when order will be restored here.