CNTE demands concrete answers from government, denounces repression of teachers

Teachers affiliated with the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) arrived at a negotiation table with the Ministry of the Interior (Segob) demanding concrete answers to their core grievances. The union accused President Claudia Sheinbaum's government of implementing a policy of repression against dissident educators.

CNTE leaders questioned the government's commitment to dialogue, asking if there would be a meeting with the President and if specific responses would be provided regarding the repeal of the ISSSTE law and the Educational Reform. Elvira Veleces, general secretary of the State Coordinator of Education Workers in Guerrero (Ceteg), voiced these demands.

Before meeting with federal officials, CNTE leaders held a press conference outside the Ministry of the Interior. They denounced that a protest on Monday near the Zócalo in Mexico City was met with repression by security forces, holding the federal government directly responsible for the alleged aggression against movement members.

“

We want them to answer us: Is there or is there not a table with the President of the Republic? Is there or is there not an answer regarding the repeal of the ISSSTE Law? And is there or is there not a concrete answer regarding the repeal of the Educational Reform?

Marcelino Rodarte stated that the resumption of the national strike demonstrates CNTE's mobilization capacity across the country, rejecting official statements that downplay the protest's magnitude. He criticized the government's "double discourse" in proclaiming an "open door" policy while allegedly resorting to repression, mirroring tactics they criticized in previous administrations.

The union reported that two teachers were seriously injured during events in the Historic Center. Professor Columbo González González from Guerrero's Section 14 reportedly lost an eye after being hit by a rubber bullet. Professor Octavio Romero Jerónimo also sustained facial injuries. According to CNTE, initial medical attention from the ISSSTE was insufficient, requiring the teachers to be transferred for specialized care.

“

Your double discourse is evident when you proclaim that you are an open-door government. However, with these actions of repression and violence, you are doing what you so criticized of previous governments.