Day 608 — CNTE National Strike: Megamarch from Ángel de la Independencia Shuts Down Mexico City; 29 States Affected

On June 1, 2026 (Day 608), the CNTE's (Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación) announced national work stoppage began, with teachers from 29 states conducting a simultaneous strike and a megamarch in Mexico City. Departing from the Ángel de la Independencia on Paseo de la Reforma at approximately 9:00 AM, tens of thousands of teachers marched toward the Zócalo and Centro Histórico. El Financiero's live coverage reported major street closures throughout the morning: Paseo de la Reforma, Av. Juárez, Eje Central, 5 de Mayo, Av. Madero, and 16 de Septiembre. The Zócalo main plaza was partially inaccessible due to FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Fest infrastructure already installed ahead of the June 11 Mexico vs. South Africa inaugural match. The CNTE's core demands remained unchanged: (1) abrogation of the 2007 ISSSTE pension law; (2) 100% salary increase; (3) elimination of the teacher career evaluation/dismissal system; (4) direct hiring of teachers without evaluation. Three rounds of SEGOB-SEP-ISSSTE dialogue (culminating in the May 29 seven-hour session) had yielded no movement on core demands, triggering the June 1 escalation. Section leaders confirmed that if core demands were not addressed before the World Cup (June 11 opener at Estadio Azteca), the CNTE would escalate actions to maximize visibility during international coverage. The national strike affected schools in Oaxaca (Sección 22 ~70,000 members), Chiapas (Sección 7), Michoacán (Sección 18), Guerrero, Hidalgo, and Campeche. At her June 1 mañanera, Sheinbaum expressed confidence the dispute would be resolved via dialogue through SEP and SEGOB, dismissing concerns about World Cup disruption.