Teachers protesting in Mexico City on Tuesday pulled down several giant football player statues and warned that larger demonstrations could take place before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup if authorities fail to address their demands.
The protest was organised by the Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE), a dissident faction of Mexico’s national teachers’ union. The group has also threatened to stage mass protests during the opening of the World Cup on June 11.
The statues, each standing about five metres tall, had been installed along the Paseo de la Reforma, one of Mexico City’s most prominent avenues. The display featured representations of football players from different countries.
During the protest, demonstrators used ropes to bring down three of the statues. They later removed the uniforms from the figures and set them on fire.
Messages were also painted on some of the mannequins. One graffiti inscription read, “Long live the CNTE,” while another stated, “If there isn’t a solution, the ball won’t roll.”
The latest demonstration followed clashes between security forces and CNTE protesters near the Zocalo plaza on Monday. Police used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse marchers in the area, which is expected to host the World Cup Fan Fest. Metal barricades remained around the plaza on Tuesday.
The teachers’ group is demanding a 100 per cent increase in salaries and has voiced opposition to pension reforms. The faction rejected a nine per cent pay rise that the government previously accepted in negotiations with the union’s official leadership.
Tuesday’s action caused significant traffic disruption across parts of the capital as several roads were blocked.
Although statues representing Belgium, France and Spain were pulled down, the figure dressed in Mexico’s national team jersey remained standing.
Police officers did not intervene during the incident.
One of the protesters, 44-year-old teacher Juan Pablo de la Cruz, defended the action and questioned the government’s response.
“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,” he said.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum described the protest as peaceful and urged all parties to return to negotiations. A government statement also called for renewed dialogue with the teachers.
Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada.
Source: AFP
