Leader of Striking Dissident Teachers Group in Oaxaca State Detained Juan Montes - The Wall Street Journal
go to original June 13, 2016

Mexico protests over arrest of union leader (Euronews)

Update: Mexican Govt Says 24 More Trade Unionists in Oaxaca Face Arrest (teleSUR)

Mexican authorities on Sunday detained the leader of a dissident teachers group in the southern state of Oaxaca, the stronghold of teachers opposed to the education overhaul implemented by the administration of President Enrique Peña Nieto.

Rubén Núñez was arrested on charges of using illegally obtained funds, Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office said.

The arrest of Mr. Núñez and seven other teachers leaders in Oaxaca in recent weeks, including the group’s head of finance, have decimated leadership of the militant CNTE teachers union, a sign the government may be gaining the upper hand against the group, analysts said.

“With this bold action, the government seeks to reinforce its commitment to retake control over Mexico’s education system”, said Marco Fernandez, an education expert at think tank Mexico Evaluates.

A lawyer for Mr. Núñez couldn’t be reached, while a spokesman for the CNTE in Oaxaca didn’t respond to requests to comment. The seven other officials have maintained their innocence, saying the government is conducting a smear campaign.

Read the rest at The Wall Street Journal

Related: Mexico Public Education Conflict: Dissident Teachers Announce Blockades and Marches in Response to Arrest of Leaders of Section 22 (Mexico Voices)

Related: Mexican Party Morena Supports Teachers Opposed to Education Reform (Prensa Latina)

Related: Mexico: Supporters Protests Over Oaxaca Teachers’ Leader Arrest (Tribune Reporter)

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