"We will not evict them," assures Sheinbaum to CNTE, stating dialogue is open amid provocation attempts

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly stated that her administration will not order the eviction of protesting teachers from the National Union of Education Workers (CNTE). She asserted that certain groups within the demonstrations are actively seeking provocation, aiming to create a scenario where police aggression can be captured and used for political gain.

“

The door to dialogue is open, and what they want is for there to be repression. Because in reality, part of these demonstrations has to do more with provocation.

"The door to dialogue is open, and what they want is for there to be repression. Because in reality, part of these demonstrations has to do more with provocation," Sheinbaum explained during a press conference. She noted that some individuals participating in the protests have their faces covered, leading her to question if they are all genuine teachers. "It's not all the teachers, it's some, some people who we don't know if they are teachers because they have their faces covered," she added.

“

It's not all the teachers, it's some, some people who we don't know if they are teachers because they have their faces covered.

Sheinbaum defended the use of barriers in the historic center of Mexico City as a preventive measure to avoid clashes between protesters and security forces. "It is better to have a barrier to prevent a confrontation between police and teachers in places where they want to gain access by force," she stated. When asked about the possibility of ordering an eviction due to the disruptions caused by the protests, Sheinbaum was unequivocal: "We are not going to evict them."

“

It is better to have a barrier to prevent a confrontation between police and teachers in places where they want to gain access by force.

The president argued that such an action would play directly into the hands of the more radical elements within the demonstrations. She recalled a past operation during former President Enrique Peña Nieto's administration against CNTE members in the capital's Zocalo, which had the support of the then-Mexico City administration led by Miguel Ángel Mancera. "That is what they want, that is what they seek to provoke," she said. Sheinbaum expressed confidence that dialogue with the various CNTE sections could address some of the teachers' demands, assuring that negotiations are ongoing.

“

We are not going to evict them.