Mexican teachers, led by a dissident faction of the CNTE union, protested across Mexico City demanding salary increases and repeal of a 2007 pension reform law [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]. The government and official teachers' union agreed on a 9% salary raise, but protesters demand a 100% increase [4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11]. The starting public school teacher salary is roughly 967 USD per month [5, 6, 9, 10, 11].
Protests began on June 1 with teachers attempting to breach metal barricades at the Zocalo plaza, where police deployed tear gas to keep them out [1, 6, 10]. The Zocalo area is being prepared for the World Cup fan fest. On June 2 and 3, protesters toppled and burned large football player statues on Paseo de la Reforma boulevard as symbolic pressure on the government [2, 4, 5, 7, 11]. They also used streetlight poles to forcibly enter the Ministry of Education headquarters, causing property damage and a small fire [4, 5, 11].
Clashes between protesters and police left at least two protesters injured, including one with a head wound, as demonstrators broke through barricades at the Zocalo [1, 6, 9, 10]. Police erected physical barriers and continued using tear gas to control the crowds [1, 3, 6, 9, 10]. Demonstrations and construction disruptions have caused traffic congestion and delays across the capital [2, 7, 8].
President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would not be provoked into cracking down violently ahead of the World Cup. "I will not be baited into provocations or order a crackdown on protests before the World Cup," Sheinbaum said [2, 4, 5, 8, 11]. She also stated, "They are provoking us and want us to act and crush the protests. I will not fall into that trap" [8].
CNTE is a dissident faction distinct from the official teachers' union leadership, which reached the 9% raise agreement with the government [1, 2, 4, 5, 6]. Protesters threatened to escalate demonstrations with millions of teachers mobilizing during the World Cup if their demands are unmet [1, 6, 9, 10]. Filiberto Frausto, a union leader, said, "This event will have to be suspended. A cause like ours should be far above – it’s far more important than a little bit of distraction and fun" [1]. Rodrigo Arias, a teacher from Oaxaca, added, "The current government made a campaign commitment... but it never happened. There is neglect. ... We will keep mobilising until we are heard — even with the World Cup on the horizon" [2]. Juan Pablo de la Cruz, another protesting teacher, remarked, "If (Sheinbaum) calls toppling some statues a crime, what would she call the act of taking away our rights? We need to be more firm" [7].
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will open on June 11 in Mexico City with a match between Mexico and South Africa at Azteca Stadium, where 13 matches will be hosted amid expectations of 5 million visitors [2, 6, 8, 9, 11]. Ongoing protests and roadblocks on June 5 threaten to overshadow the event's preparations and create further disruptions in the capital [8].
