Delgado Asks CNTE Not To Obstruct World Cup

ByLaura Arana and Rafael García

This article by Laura Arana and Rafael García originally appeared in the April 28, 2026 edition of El Sol de México.

The Secretary of Public Education (SEP), Mario Delgado, asserted that there is no need for members of the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) to protest during the FIFA World Cup in Mexico City, stating that a dialogue and technical forum is already in place to address their demands.

Today, the CNTE confirmed that the national strike during the sporting event is “already a done deal,” and indicated that they will go as far as the government allows.

“We don’t see the need for demonstrations aimed at disrupting an international event in our country. The President’s proposals are there, as is the dialogue forum, because the issue won’t be resolved in public squares,” said the head of the SEP.

He recalled that this technical working group, to which he called for representatives of the teachers’ union, has been available since October 2024, but for one reason or another, it has not yet been formed.

Therefore, he reiterated his call for dialogue and for the CNTE to designate its representatives, as well as experts and technical staff, to hold the meeting and address their demands. He stated that not everything can remain at the level of political debate, but must be addressed technically.

President Sheinbaum had promised to repeal the 2007 ISSSTE Law during her Presidential campaign.

Mario Delgado says Government Also Doesn’t Agree with Individual Afores System

Regarding the Coordinator’s main demand, which is the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE Law that eliminated the solidarity pension systems so that workers now retire with what they manage to save throughout their lives, Mario Delgado assured that this government also does not agree with this individual Afores system.

However, he indicated that the money not saved over 19 years cannot be recovered, but there are alternatives. One of them, he explained, involves the Mexican government contributing resources to these pensions, so that the total fund can be larger.

He also noted that with the welfare pension system implemented by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the situation is no longer what it was before.

Another demand of the CNTE is the elimination of certain aspects of the Education Reform presented in 2019 by López Obrador, such as the implementation of the Unit of the System for the Career of Teachers (USICAMM), a system for teacher admission and promotion. They argue that this system fails to recognize teachers’ tenure, seniority, and participation in obtaining appointments.

Regarding this, Mario Delgado asserted that USICAMM will indeed be eliminated, as it was one of the 100 promises made by the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum. However, he reiterated the call for a technical working group to conduct a thorough analysis.

He recalled that during neoliberal governments the demands of the CNTE were not met, so the dialogue that this government has established with them is already a step forward.

Photo: Jay Watts