Mexico: Tensions Grow Ahead of Sunday's Elections

2015-06-04 1

Tension in building in Mexico ahead of Sunday's vote, particularly in four southern states where violence has erupted. The combative teachers union and local organizations are calling for a boycott of Sunday's elections. In Oaxaca, the 75,000 strong combative Section 22 of the teachers' union have been in the forefront of the anti-election protests, and yesterday blocked the international airport. Thus far, 21 election-related deaths have been reported across Mexico, nine of them involving candidates. Activists report some towns are been occupied by federal police. The resentment of political parties and the governing elite runs deep and coupled with rejection of recently enacted neo-liberal reforms, could mean an escalation of tensions between now and election day. Clayton Conn reports from Oaxaca. teleSUR