Teachers Protest in Mexico City Ahead of World Cup

On Tuesday, protesting teachers in Mexico City, led by the dissident wing of the CNTE, toppled three football player statues located along the Paseo de la Reforma. This act was part of a larger protest against the government's refusal to meet their demands for a 100% salary increase, as they rejected a proposed 9% raise.

The protest coincided with the upcoming World Cup, which is set to begin on June 11. The teachers expressed their dissent by stripping the statues of their uniforms and burning them, with graffiti messages such as "Long live CNTE" and "Isn't a solution, the ball won't roll." The protest caused significant traffic disruptions in the already chaotic capital.

Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mayor of Mexico City, condemned the act as a crime, emphasizing the need for peaceful protests. The police intervened, using tear gas to disperse the crowd near the famous Zocalo Plaza, which was closed off with metal barricades.