A Coca-Cola bottler and distributor has pulled out of some communities due to high levels of violence, but it’s no longer doing business in Acatlán, Guerrero, because the town gave it the boot.

The town in Chilapa de Álvarez has banned Coca-Cola products after the company refused to repair damage allegedly caused by its trucks and support development initiatives.

Coca-Cola bottler FEMSA met with local authorities in Acatlán earlier this month to hear a request that it repair damage caused by its delivery trucks to several buildings and roads and to contribute to the town’s development.

According to a statement released yesterday and signed by communal council members, the Coca-Cola FEMSA representative refused the petition. In response, communal authorities ordered the suspension of sales of Coca-Cola products “for an indefinite period of time.”

The FEMSA representative had agreed to stop taking orders from Acatlán establishments and to suspend distribution, the statement said.

Coca-Cola FEMSA was also given eight days to remove all of its refrigerators and promotional material from the town. Since September 11, Acatlán has been Coke-free.

“The company Coca-Cola FEMSA will no longer be able to enter our community, except through the authorization of communal authorities,” the council said.

On September 13, a community assembly ratified the decision taken by the town’s leaders, asserting that Coca-Cola was no longer welcome.

Acatlán is an indigenous community with a population of about 3,500.

Source: Milenio (sp), Periódico Mundo (sp)