Thousands of striking Mexican teachers are blocking the main access to the Aztec stadium in Mexico City where the ceremony and the opening match of the Football World Cup are to take place on Thursday, maintaining pressure on the government.
The authorities deployed thousands of police officers, who installed concrete barriers and placed a trailer across the track to prevent their progress towards the stadium which will host the opening match of the World Cup between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday.
A dissident group from the CNTE education union has been demonstrating since last week to demand a salary increase and the repeal of a pension law, which the government considers unrealizable. The latter, however, claims to have improved the conditions of teachers and calls for dialogue.
“We want to reach the stadium,” a demonstrator, Angel Villalobos, told AFP in the middle of a long peaceful procession stretching several hundred meters. "The government has provided certain answers, but they do not satisfy us," he added.
“The fight continues,” chanted another demonstrator, Austreberto Flores.
The teachers also set up a camp a short distance from the central square of the Zocalo, where a fanzone was set up, and a call was made to demonstrate on Thursday during the opening match.
- "Provocation" -
President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday described the protests of recent days, which include blocking avenues and the destruction of statues linked to the World Cup, as a "provocation".
"We view this as a provocation to say: 'Look how bad the situation is in Mexico,'" Sheinbaum said at her daily press conference. While she agrees that there are "a lot of problems" in Mexico and that the government is "dealing with them," she maintained that there is no "social discontent."
The leader ruled out for the moment ordering the police to repress the demonstrations and said "guarantee (...) that the celebration of the inauguration of the World Cup goes well, in peace and tranquility".
The head of state will not attend the opening ceremony at the Aztec stadium, and has indicated that she is considering confirming her presence in the area reserved for supporters near which the presidential palace is located.
“We will see how the situation evolves with the teachers,” she only indicated on Tuesday.
weather
8, rue St Georges, Port Louis
BP N° 7 / Tel: (230) 207 8200
email:lemauricien.redaction@gmail.com
Disclaimer/Privacy Policy/Subscription
Enjoying Mauritius News in English?
You've used 1 of your 5 free articles today. Subscribe for unlimited access plus a daily newsletter.
