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2006 Election Coverage

# Mexican police clash with protesters in Oaxaca

Sun Nov 26, 2006 12:42pm ET
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By Daniel Aguilar

OAXACA, Mexico (Reuters) - Protesters shot fireworks at riot police and burned down government buildings in Mexico's colonial city of Oaxaca on Saturday, days before President-elect Felipe Calderon was to take office.

At least nine of the demonstrators, who are demanding the resignation of state Gov. Ulises Ruiz, were injured in skirmishes with police wearing body armor and lobbing tear gas, a government news agency said.

Other protesters threw gasoline bombs into at least four government buildings, including a museum and court, starting blazes that spread to nearby shops.

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Oaxaca has been in chaos for the last six months because of protests by striking teachers, Indian groups and leftists against Ruiz, who they say is corrupt and authoritarian.

The latest violence flared when hundreds of activists, some armed with rocks, homemade wooden shields and fireworks, tried to surround federal police occupying the city's central square. Armored riot trucks with water canons drove the protesters away from the plaza and sent them fleeing down side streets.

Later, state police patrolled streets littered with burned out cars and detained people considered suspicious. At least 60 protesters had been arrested, Ruiz told local media.

A Reuters witness at one point heard what sounded like gunshots.

In October, federal authorities forced their way into the city, normally popular with foreign backpackers, to try to end the conflict, which has killed more than a dozen people.

The situation in Oaxaca will be one of conservative Calderon's most pressing problems when he takes power on December 1. He also faces protests in Mexico City from leftist supporters of losing presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador who claim Calderon won July's election by fraud.

© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

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