Mexico: Nationwide teacher strikes April 9-10 and April 30-May 2 /update 1

Event

The National Coordination of Education Workers (CNTE) teachers' union is planning a 48-hour nationwide strike from Monday, April 9, through Tuesday, April 10. More than 22 states of the country plan to join in the strike. In Chiapas, a march will be held beginning at 10:00 (local time) on Monday from La Pochota, the west entrance of the city, to Central Park where a sit-in will be held. Associated marches are likely in Mexico City and Oaxaca. School closures, along with heightened security measures and transportation disruptions near protests, are possible. CNTE is also planning a 72-hour nationwide strike from April 30 through May 2. As of Friday, April 6, no details had yet been released regarding associated marches.

Context

Teachers have held numerous strikes and protests in Mexico in recent years amid major reforms to the education sector implemented by the government of President Enrique Peña Nieto. Past strikes in the south of the country have lasted for weeks (even months), involving deadly protests and blockades which have led to shortages of consumer goods.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor developments to the situation and strictly avoid all protests due to potential violence, notably in the south.