Oaxaca governor rejects congressional demand for his resignation

MEXICO

Ulises Ruiz, governor of Oaxaca, has confirmed that on no account will he resign and returned yesterday to the regional government building that had been taken over by more than 4,000 members of federal police riot squads (PFP).

The Mexican Congress — its Senate and the Chamber of Deputies — has demanded that Governor Ruiz leave his post in order to regain control of that state, which today is involved in an unprecedented conflict, reported PL.

According to the Oaxaca government, the legislative demand is unconstitutional because it violates the sovereignty of the state, as well as interposing a constitutional controversy before the nation’s Supreme Court, which will decide this week whether or not to proceed.

For his part, President-elect Felipe Calderón called on the leaders and authorities in Oaxaca involved in the conflict to work within this framework in order to reestablish the educational calendar.

Together with Reyes Tamez Guerra, the secretary for public education, Calderón endorsed the decision and the actions taken by the federal government concerning the entry of the PFP into Oaxaca in order to reestablish order.

Meanwhile, the city is continuing to survive with bare-bones service, no public transport or waste collection and, most importantly, no classes.

Thousands of businesses remain closed, having been looted or intermittently robbed, and the streets have been deserted by the majority of inhabitants.

Translated by Granma International