San Antonio Abad Residents Demand Expropriation of Collapsed Building for Social Housing

ByDana Estrada

This article by Dana Estrada originally appeared in the May 13, 2026 edition of El Sol de México.

Residents of the Tránsito, Vista Alegre, Paulino Navarro and Esperanza neighborhoods, in the Cuauhtémoc borough, demonstrated on San Antonio Abad Avenue, in front of building 124 which collapsed on March 9, to demand a citizen consultation and expropriation of the property for social housing.

According to Gabriela Urbina, a neighbour, they have been protesting for months about the public and private works being carried out in the area, since the Calzada de Tlalpan Elevated Roadway is also being built in front of the building that collapsed and took the lives of three construction workers.

“Nobody has listened to us since last year. Before the year ended, we protested because we didn’t want the government’s elevated roadway, and they didn’t listen to us. A few months ago, we saw the demolition of the parking lot, and then it collapsed, and we’ve seen them remove the seals and people go in,” Urbina recounted.

Photo: Roberto Hernández

In response, protesters demanded that they be informed before any construction takes place on the property, as the safety of the residents must be guaranteed before any work begins.

“The streets surrounding the property are used by those of us who live in the colonia (Transito), because they lead directly to the San Antonio Abad Metro station, the avenue, schools, and workplaces. Someone needs to guarantee that whatever is done there will be safe,” Andrea commented.

The same group of protesters demanded that the land be expropriated for social housing. When questioned about whether they belonged to any group, they denied it. Dozens of banners displayed by residents echoed the same message: expropriation.

Two months after the collapse, Mexico City authorities have yet to clarify the condition of the site or the investigation into the negligent homicide of the three construction workers. The closure seals have been removed , with only one remaining visible.

Photo: Roberto Hernández