Mexican teachers protest ISSSTE law ahead of World Cup in Mexico City

Teachers’ unions across Mexico intensified protests two days before the opening of the FIFA World Cup, demanding the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE law. The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) warned that demonstrations will continue without a government solution, and its leaders reported additional contingents arriving in the capital. Security forces blocked a march toward the Azteca Stadium, and city officials said dialogue was being opened with the groups.

In Cuernavaca, the protest split into two rival teacher factions – the SNTE Section 19 and dissenting magisterial bases – both demanding the same legal change. The confrontation turned violent in the Plaza de Armas, with bottle‑throwing, shoving and accusations that SNTE leader Joel Sánchez Vélez provoked the clash to fragment the movement. Authorities held talks with the SNTE bloc while the dissenters were detained pending further dialogue.