Mexico City – Striking teachers and leftist activists reached a tentative agreement with the federal government to end a five-month teachers strike in the state of Oaxaca and lift the blockades that have paralyzed the state capital and shut down much of the region’s tourist industry.
The agreement, negotiated late Monday by federal Interior Minister Carlos Abascal, must be submitted to rank- and-file teachers and activists for their approval.
It would authorize federal authorities to take control of the Oaxaca state police force, and several top Oaxaca state security officials would resign.
The protesters dropped a demand for the immediate resignation of state Gov. Ulises Ruiz. The striking teachers and activists say Ruiz is corrupt and has used armed allies and police to intimidate his opponents.
A federal Senate committee was scheduled to meet Tuesday evening to debate a resolution to dissolve Ruiz’s government and remove him from office.
“We will continue to seek the departure of Mr. Ruiz by institutional means,” Enrique Rueda, a leader of the teachers union, told reporters in Mexico City after the negotiations with Abascal had concluded.
On Tuesday, leaders of the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca, the umbrella group of anti-Ruiz activists, met with senators to discuss the governor’s removal.
The protests have seen Oaxaca state’s quaint capital become home to ugly street battles, with activists meting out street justice against perceived enemies and gunmen opening fire on the activists.
It began in May with striking teachers demanding pay increases and evolved into a mass movement demanding that Ruiz step down.
When Ruiz ordered police to clear the city center of protesters in June, public opinion turned sharply against him. Farm groups and leftist activists joined the teachers’ protest. City Hall and many other government buildings were shut down.
Abascal, the interior minister, reached the agreement with the protesters after an eight-hour meeting. State authorities agreed to release several arrested activists and to withdraw arrest warrants issued against others.
