The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) started a 72-hour strike and camp in Mexico City's Zócalo on March 18, demanding dialogue with President Claudia Sheinbaum. Teachers marched from the Ángel de la Independencia, closing several streets. Sheinbaum ruled out meeting all demands due to budget shortages.
The CNTE set up tents in Mexico City's Zócalo around 7:30 a.m. on March 18, starting a 72-hour strike. At 11:00 a.m., a march departed from the Ángel de la Independencia along Paseo de la Reforma, Avenida Juárez, Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas, and 5 de Mayo, causing street closures. By 13:34, disruptions affected Avenida Insurgentes and Reforma; Metrobús Line 1 had service interruptions on Reforma. Traffic on Reforma eastward from the Ángel to Eje 1 Poniente was partially restored after 12:00. Authorities placed barricades at the Palacio Nacional and did not confirm additional closures for the three-day camp. Teachers demand dialogue with Sheinbaum, repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE Law, elimination of the 2019 education reform, return to pensions without Afores, 100% salary increase, better working conditions, cancellation of protest deductions, no repression, and more budget for education, health, and social security. Pedro Hernández of section 9 threatened mobilizations during the June World Cup. Filiberto Frausto of section 34 estimated hundreds of thousands in the capital if unmet. Jenny Aracely Pérez of Oaxaca's section 22 warned of a 2026 World Cup boycott. Sheinbaum, in her morning conference, stated: “Hay demandas que se pueden cumplir y hay demandas que no alcanza el presupuesto para cumplirlas. Lo que se busca, siempre en el marco del recurso que existe, es mejorar las condiciones de trabajo del magisterio” [Some demands can be met and some cannot due to budget shortages. The goal, within available resources, is to improve teachers' working conditions]. She ruled out a direct meeting, favoring tables led by the Secretariat of Government and Education. A National Representative Assembly is scheduled for 18:00 at Belisario Domínguez. Mobilizations also occurred in Chiapas, Guerrero, and Michoacán.
