Sheinbaum Questions the Relevance of New CNTE Mobilizations; SEP and Segob Keep Dialogue Open, She Says

ByArturo Sánchez Jiménez and Alma E. Muñoz

This article by Arturo Sánchez Jiménez and Alma E. Muñoz originally appeared in the June 17, 2026 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper.

Mexico City. President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo on Wednesday questioned the relevance of the new mobilizations called by members of the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE), maintaining that her government keeps the channels of dialogue with the teachers open through the Secretariat of the Interior and the Secretariat of Public Education.

Asked at her morning press conference at the National Palace about the protest planned this morning in the vicinity of the Ciudad de México (Azteca) stadium, the President asked what the purpose is of continuing with the marches when, she assured, there is permanent dialogue with federal authorities. “What’s the point of the march?” she said. Later she insisted:

“Why do they want to talk to the President? They have all my representation, all, absolutely all, the Interior Secretary and the Education Secretary,” who, she said, keep the channels of dialogue with the CNTE open.

Sheinbaum Pardo affirmed that the federal agencies will continue to report on the agreements and conversations they hold with the CNTE both in Mexico City and in the states where the organization has a presence. She also assured that in the country’s capital there are currently no schools on strike.

The President further maintained that some of the sectors driving the most radical actions do not currently have majority union representation. She explained that, following the reforms that established direct and secret elections to choose union leaders, the CNTE retains control of some union sections but not of others where it previously had influence.

Nevertheless, she rejected that there is a refusal to dialogue with teachers. She indicated that her administration will continue to receive members of the coordinator and listen to their proposals, although she specified that formal labor negotiations must be carried out with the recognized union representations.

The President reiterated her recognition of the national teaching profession and assured that, on issues such as the reform of the teacher promotion system, the government will seek to consult directly with teachers to learn their opinions and proposals.