MEXICO CITY - The Mexican government on Saturday demanded that protesters lift their barricades and evacuate occupied buildings in the restive southern city of Oaxaca.
A statement from the interior ministry demanded "the immediate handover of the streets, plazas, public buildings and private property" taken over by protesters.
The federal demands come as President Vicente Fox on Saturday sent federal forces to the region to retake control of the city. Some 70,000 Oaxaca teachers have been on strike in the city for five months demanding higher pay and the resignation of the state governor.
10/28/2006 21:10 GMT