Highway blockade in Chiapas on Friday, October 27, gained international notice.
Around 1,000 passengers aboard Holland America's ship Eurodam were prevented from visiting Tapachula and a number of tourist destinations when parents from Puerto Chiapas shut down highways in order to protest the slow pace of rebuilding earthquake-damaged schools.
MS Eurodam arrived in Chiapas with 2,075 travelers aboard just as the parents decided to pressure authorities so their kids can return to school.
The schools in the region have been closed since September 7 earthquake, and many have yet to be inspected.
Parents claim that funds have been promised from an infrastructure fund named CIEN, rather than the natural disaster fund, Fonden.
The state’s director of education infrastructure assured the people that reconstruction funds would be coming from insurance policies on the buildings and Fonden.
Meanwhile, cruisers denied access to tourism sites were treated to a cultural show including an artisanal display and gastronomical exhibition in the port precincts.
The visitors were unable to enjoy tours which caused economic losses of at least US$500,000. The cruise line is expected to drop Puerto Chiapas as a port of call due to security concerns. It was the first time ms Eurodam had visited the port.