Teachers from the Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) marched on Calzada de Tlalpan on June 18, 2026, to demand a direct meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum [1].

The protest highlights ongoing friction between the Mexican government and one of the country's most influential teachers' unions over labor rights and social security.

Demonstrators gathered in Mexico City in front of the Secretaría de Gobernación to present a series of demands to the federal government [2]. A primary goal of the march was the official abrogation of the 2007 ISSSTE Law, which governs social security and services for state workers [1].

The event was marked by reports of violence between law enforcement and protesters. Union members said police officers beat, robbed, and threatened to kill participants during the demonstration [3]. According to reports, nine teachers were assaulted by police during the march [1].

The CNTE is calling for the government to punish the officers involved in these aggressions [3]. This demand for accountability comes as the union seeks a direct dialogue with the presidency to resolve long-standing labor disputes.

Representatives from the union held a meeting with the Secretaría de Gobernación that lasted four hours [1]. Despite the length of the session, the teachers said they insist on a face-to-face encounter with President Sheinbaum to ensure their demands are addressed at the highest level of government [2].

The Calzada de Tlalpan, a major artery in the capital, saw significant activity as the union utilized the space to bring visibility to their grievances regarding worker protections, and the treatment of educators by state security forces [2].

“Teachers from the CNTE marched on Calzada de Tlalpan to demand a direct meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum.”

The CNTE's mobilization underscores a persistent tension regarding the 2007 ISSSTE Law, which remains a flashpoint for Mexican educators. By demanding direct access to President Sheinbaum and reporting police brutality, the union is attempting to leverage public visibility to force a policy shift on social security and establish a precedent for police accountability in the capital.