Over four months after his disappearance José Ramon is still missing despite an international campaign demanding that the T HE DEMANDS of the mobiliza- Mexican government ensure his return. The central international democratic congress of what is the tion are: for a 100% wage rise and a secretariat of Amnesty International in London issued a call for biggest union in Latin America, in urgent action on this case in January 1989. In many countries letwhich the rank and file would have the ters of protest and petitions have been delivered to local Mexican right to elect a new leadership. The government offered a 10% rise, which would In Mexico itself the campaign has also been widely supported by bring the average monthly salary up to political and human-rights personalities, including two former $150, plus a 10% increase in benefits. Given the breadth of the mobilization, the gov- presidential candidates, Rosario Ibarra and Cuauhtémoc union's "leader for life and moral guide", ernment was finally obliged to order the Against Repression assembled over 2,000 people on February 25- Cardenas, and the Bishop of Cuernavaca. The National Forum Carlos Jongitud Barrios, to step down in 26, including international representatives from Europe and North order to pacify the teachers, replacing him America. A National Day of Protest took place on April 14. however by another governmental support- However, despite this broad support, there is still no move by er, Elba Esther Gordillo Morales. On Monday April 24, hundreds of thou- the Mexican authorities to release José Ramon. The seriousness sands of teachers celebrated this event in of the step announced by the PRT leaders indicates the continuone of the largest demonstrations ever seen ing importance of the campaign to put pressure on the Mexican in Mexico. At the same time they decided government. Calls for the safe return of José Ramon from politito continue the strike until offered a wage cal, trade-union, artistic and human rights figures and organizarise sufficient to ensure they would "no drivers or street sellers", and a guarantee longer have to have second jobs as taxi Carlos Salinas de Gortari, Presidente Constitucional, Estados
Unidos Mexicanos, Palacio Nacional, Mexico D.F., Mexico; that the workers themselves would elect their leaders. The authorities have declared the strike 28 "put she precariouse myer the monty unjustified, because a bigger rise would International Viewpoint #163 • May 15, 1989
IV 155), was still missing.
embassies.
tions should be sent to:
li 99, Mexico D.F., Mexico;