MEXICO: Drive-by shooting in Mexican city of Oaxaca as protests against state governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz lead to violence

Shots rang out late on Thursday (September 28) raising tensions throughout the Mexican city of Oaxaca after protests by businesses and striking teachers demanded the government end a political crisis in the tourist destination. Businesses closed for a two-day strike to pressure the federal government to act in an increasingly violent conflict between state Gov. Ulises Ruiz and protesters who want him to resign. But while larger businesses associated with the local chamber of commerce closed, many smaller shops remained open in the pretty colonial downtown, where historical buildings are daubed with graffiti calling on Ruiz to quit. A few buses ran through city streets. A group of some 50 people staged a protest in a square on Thursday against the governor, who has mishandled a teachers' strike that began four months ago and has spiralled out of control. The teachers, who voted not to return to classes this week despite being threatened with the loss of their jobs, have been joined by left-wing and Indian groups opposed to Ruiz. "We are peaceful people and were the target of this aggression," said Angel a teacher on strike who was visibly shaken by the shooting. They say the governor, who refuses to resign and wants federal police to end the protests, has allowed off-duty local police to shoot demonstrators. "We believe that and demand that the Fox government, and Calderon, the PAN, the PRI, that they take the necessary measures, the only one, which is that Ulises Ruiz Ortiz step down for peace in Oaxaca," said Angel, holding cartridge cases found in the street after the shooting. Five people have been killed in drive-by shootings and ambushes, and protesters have set up barricades and hijacked buses to barricade streets. Business leaders in the state, who are suffering from a loss of tourist dollars, want President Vicente Fox to intervene and put an end to the conflict. Anticipating a clash with federal police, protesters this week stockpiled stones and made petrol bombs. Fox has vowed to end the crisis before he leaves office at the end of November but there is no sign he is pressuring Ruiz to step down and his government said force would be used only if talks failed. The Mexican government is holding discussions with the striking teacher's union in Mexico City in the hopes that a compromise will be reached.

ITN Source | September 29, 2006

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