Tension Grows in Oaxaca City

Mexico, Jul 23

Tension increases today in Oaxaca state amid protest threats to avoid the celebration of the locality's most important cultural event.

Oaxaca Peoples' Popular Assembly (APPO) and other organizations keep their decision of boycotting Guelaguetza feast while the army and the police keep the place besieged.

The associations agreed the state government, led by Ulises Ruiz, will use this big traditional party with commercial aims, snatching its popular sense.

The authorities are trying to sell Guelaguetza as a big opportunity to attract those representing their main source of income, the tourists, which normally come to the city attracted by its beauty and history.

Attention is focused on images of a police action ordered by the governor to face any opposite demonstration in the so-called Monday of the Mountain, referring to the hill where the celebration takes place.

The social conflict is still alive because of the governor's incompetence to pay attention to the real problems of Oaxaca's society.