Dissident members of the Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) escalated their protest today by setting fire to part of the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE) building in the historic downtown district of Mexico City. The act, which occurred in the early afternoon, damaged interior furnishings and prompted concerns that flames might spread to adjacent properties.
According to local authorities, CNTE-affiliated teachers gathered outside the SNTE offices at approximately 2:00 PM and began chanting slogans criticizing the national teachers’ union for allegedly negotiating behind teachers’ backs. Shortly afterward, a small subgroup reportedly ignited several pieces of interior furniture, creating thick plumes of smoke that alarmed passersby. “They want the SNTE to represent genuine teacher interests, not corporate or government agendas,” said one protester, who declined to give his full name.
Emergency crews from Mexico City’s Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) arrived within minutes to contain the fire and prevent collateral damage to surrounding colonial-era buildings. Firefighters focused on extinguishing interior flames while police cordoned off the perimeter to keep bystanders at a safe distance. By 3:15 PM, crews had fully suppressed the blaze, though the SNTE building’s lobby and meeting rooms suffered heavy smoke and fire damage.
No injuries have been reported, but SNTE officials expressed outrage at what they called an “unjustified act of vandalism.” In a brief statement, SNTE general secretary María Elena Campos denounced the violence: “Setting fire to union property solves nothing. We remain open to constructive dialogue, but we will not tolerate destructive tactics that risk public safety.”
CNTE leaders, for their part, issued a separate statement attributing the fire to “a small faction” acting without broader authorization. They reaffirmed that the national movement’s primary focus remains on securing better working conditions and full-time contracts for teachers. “If any group crosses the line, it should be held accountable,” said CNTE spokesperson Jorge Méndez. However, Méndez also warned that “government intransigence” could prompt further unrest if educators’ demands remain unmet.
Political analysts note that tensions between SNTE and CNTE have intensified in recent months, with allegations that SNTE leadership negotiated wage and benefit agreements unfavorable to rank-and-file teachers. A series of smaller protests earlier this year signaled growing frustration among CNTE supporters. Today’s arson marks the most serious escalation to date, prompting calls for an investigation into whether external actors instigated or financed the violent fringe.
City officials announced they would update security protocols for union buildings in the historic center. Meanwhile, SNTE has filed a formal complaint and requested federal authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible. As investigations proceed, all eyes will be on whether CNTE leadership can rein in radical elements or if broader educator unrest spills into further acts of civil disobedience.
