When the protest becomes a tourist attraction (free)
Imagine this: you wake up in Yucatán, ready to live your best influencer life in Chichén Itzá, and surprise! The masters of the CNTE have turned the pyramids into their new battle headquarters. Yes, as you read it. This Wednesday, the teachers decided that if the government doesn’t listen to them, at least the tourists will. And so, with the elegance of someone handing out flyers at a traffic light, they took over the tourist inns of Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam and Uxmal, giving away tickets as if they were free samples of guacamole in a hipster food market.
The protest tour: from Valladolid to the pyramids
It all started at 8 AM, just when the first visitors arrived with their selfie sticks and ridiculously big hats. The teachers, more punctual than a Swiss watch (something rare in this country), blocked access to the Patronato Cultur and let everyone pass without charging a peso. Then, as if they were at a music festival, they set up tents and awnings. Teacher Coachella? Almost. Of course, with less glitter and more “Respect our rights” banners.
The night before, in the plaza of Valladolid, the teachers had already held their “rebellion with a cause” style assembly, where they swore allegiance to the state strike and promised to “toughen up” the protests. Translation: if you don’t give them what they ask for, they will continue turning historical sites into branches of their movement. Next stop? Maybe the closest cenote, who knows.
Their demands sound like a child’s Christmas wish list, but with a touch of work reality: a 100% salary increase, 90 days of bonus (yes, you read that correctly), and the cancellation of the ISSTEY law of 2022. Basically, they want Yucatán to become a paradise for teacher rights. Meanwhile, tourists enjoy Mayan ruins without paying, because in this protest even culture is free.
The government responds (with the typical “let’s talk” letter)
The Patronato Cultur, in a statement as diplomatic as a kitten meme, said that “they respect free demonstration” but asked for dialogue so as not to affect tourism. In other words, “protest, but don’t scare the gringos”. Meanwhile, Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena begged them to return to classes while “their demands are resolved”. Spoiler: that hasn’t happened for years.
For now, the protest remains peaceful, but the teachers warned that they could occupy more archaeological areas. So if you plan to vacation in Yucatan, bring cash… or not, because they may even give you the tour for free. Ironies of life.
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