The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) begins a 72-hour national strike on March 18, including a march in Mexico City from the Ángel de la Independencia to the Zócalo. Teachers from Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Michoacán will participate, demanding the abrogation of the educational reform and the 2007 ISSSTE Law. Authorities have installed metal fences around the Zócalo.
The CNTE announced in November 2025 a 72-hour national strike for March 18, 19, and 20, 2026, fulfilling its prior warning. In Mexico City, 20% of the union base will demonstrate, with participation from teachers in Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Michoacán, while 80% will mobilize in other states including Oaxaca, Michoacán, Chiapas, and Mexico State. A national brigading effort continues to inform education workers and ISSSTE contributors about the 2007 ISSSTE Law. Key demands are the abrogation of the educational reform, repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE Law, and creation of tripartite dialogue tables. The march will start at 9:00 a.m. from the Ángel de la Independencia to the Zócalo, followed by a rally and plantón installation. Though the route is unconfirmed, it is expected to affect Paseo de la Reforma, Juárez Avenue, Eje Central, 5 de Mayo, Moneda, Pino Suárez, and 20 de Noviembre. Metrobús Line 7, from Campo Marte to Indios Verdes, will be most impacted. Capital authorities have placed metal fences and barbed wire around the Zócalo to secure it, with police presence on 5 de Mayo. Yenny Pérez, general secretary of CNTE Section 22, denounced media pressure from President Claudia Sheinbaum: “While there is no persecution against us as leadership, the persecution from the Palace is media-driven toward the CNTE movement in general.” The CNTE accuses the president of responding with fences, police, and tear gas instead of dialogue.
