Teachers face riot police in Mexico

Thousands of riot police backed by helicopters and armoured trucks surrounded Mexico's popular tourist city of Oaxaca yesterday, but stopped short of forcing their way in to evict protesters who want the state governor removed.

Mexico sent the forces to the picturesque colonial city, where striking teachers and activists have occupied streets and buildings since May, after gunmen thought to be local police shot dead a US journalist and two other people on Friday.

Police in body armour and a SWAT team armed with assault rifles filled one road after overrunning a barricade made of smoldering giant tree trunks that had been abandoned by protesters at the edge of the city.

Shoulder to shoulder, the police then stood their ground in a line on Oaxaca's outskirts to wait for more instructions.

Witnesses said there were similar scenes on several access roads to the city, famous for its colonial architecture, cuisine and indigenous crafts.

Hundreds of chanting protesters formed their own line in front of the riot police, waving white flags and banners. Some raised their white-painted hands to show they were unarmed and that their protest was peaceful.

One woman offered a policeman flowers, dropping them at his feet when he declined to accept them.

The protesters, who are pushing to topple state Governor Ulises Ruiz, have said they will avoid confrontation with the police.

Some shouted: "Put down your shields, we are brothers," as helicopters buzzed overhead.

"This is the fault of just one man, Ulises Ruiz," said teacher Carlos Como, 39.

It is unusual for federal forces to be sent to conflicts in Mexican states, which are the jurisdiction of local police. A police spokesman said 4,000 riot police were taking part in the Oaxaca operation.

The protesters have said Mr Ruiz was behind recent shootings and accused him of corruption and repressing dissenters, whose roadblocks have driven tourists from Oaxaca and hurt business.

Other Oaxaca residents, exhausted from months of anarchic protests, welcomed the arrival of the federal police.

"I'm sick to death of these damn barricades," said Oaxaca resident Noemi Gutierrez. "I want them to come in and put the teachers in their place."

About a dozen people, mostly protesters, have been killed since activists took to the streets in a bid to topple Mr Ruiz, who blames the protesters for the violence.

The crisis has steadily escalated with frequent shots taken at the barricades built by the activists and teachers.

Outgoing President Vicente Fox has vowed to end the crisis before handing over to President-elect Felipe Calderon of the conservative ruling party on December 1.