Mexico's CNTE teachers intensify protests, block Afores and demand ISSSTE law repeal

The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) has stepped up its nationwide protest campaign in Mexico, demanding the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE law, a shift to a solidary pension system, a 100 % salary increase for teachers and an end to repression. On a Wednesday the federal Secretariat of Education (SEP), the Secretariat of Governance (SEGOB) and the Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers (ISSSTE) resumed a dialogue table with CNTE leaders, as announced by Education Secretary Mario Delgado.

Simultaneously, CNTE blockades have targeted the city’s main thoroughfare, Paseo de la Reforma, and the headquarters of seven private pension administrators (Afores) – Profuturo, Sura, Banorte, Citibanamex, Principal, Azteca and Inbursa. About 1,200 teachers from Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guerrero and Michoacán set up camps and blocked access points, prompting a deployment of roughly 900 security personnel and temporary traffic reroutes, including limited Metrobús service. No clashes were reported, but the disruptions affected an estimated 85 000 motorists and caused losses of around 18 million pesos for local commerce.

CNTE has warned it will extend the blockades to additional financial institutions and may move its main plantón to Reforma if a direct meeting with President‑elect Claudia Sheinbaum does not materialise, underscoring the political pressure on the federal government.