Roberto Baradel, historic leader of the Unified Union of Education Workers of Buenos Aires (Suteba), announced he will not run in the union elections in May after more than 18 years at the helm of the union. His political space will back María Laura Torre as the candidate to continue the leadership. Baradel will retain roles in other national union organizations.
After more than 18 years leading Suteba, the largest teachers' union in Buenos Aires province, Roberto Baradel confirmed he will not seek re-election in the internal elections scheduled for May 13, 2026. The new authorities will take office on May 23. The union has over 100,000 members in a provincial education system exceeding 300,000 teachers.
The official Celeste list, aligned with Baradel's space, will nominate María Laura Torre, a historic union leader and current deputy secretary general. It will face the Multicolor List, linked to left-wing sectors and led by deputy Romina Del Plá, who heads some sections.
Baradel explained his decision by emphasizing continuity: “It is important to give continuity to a collective construction and to build bridges with younger colleagues.” Although he is leaving the Suteba general secretary role, he will continue as deputy general secretary of the Argentine Republic Education Workers' Confederation (Ctera) and in the International Relations Secretariat of the Argentine Workers' Central (CTA), positions he will seek to renew this year.
Baradel gained prominence in past salary disputes, such as the strikes during Daniel Scioli's administration with over 20 days without classes, and the 2017 stoppages under María Eugenia Vidal, which led to prolonged tensions. During Alberto Fernández's government, he supported school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under Axel Kicillof, relations were more stable, with a recent strike in March alongside other unions.
This departure marks the end of an era in Buenos Aires teaching unionism, where Baradel was a central figure.
