Officials, union trade blame for deadly Mexico clashes

OAXACA, Mexico (AP) — Mexican authorities and protesters on Monday traded accusations of responsibility for weekend clashes that left at least six people dead and more than 100 wounded in the restive southern state of Oaxaca.

The clashes are the latest flashpoint in an ongoing battle for control of public education in Oaxaca, where the union is vehemently resisting government attempts to implement national education reforms passed under President Enrique Pena Nieto.

Traffic flow resumed for about two hours following dialogue between unarmed police and demonstrators from the National Coordinator of Education Workers, or CNTE.

Despite the largely peaceful atmosphere in Monday's march, a group of masked men tossed rocks and powerful fireworks at public buildings and police.

The Inter American Press Association quoted the news manager of Ramos Zarate's paper as saying he had been threatened by a group of masked men, who demanded he not cover the protests and looting.

Mexico's education reform aims to wrest control over struggling schools from unions that have often had sole power over hiring, firing, promotions and budgets.

Federal prosecutors accuse union leaders of setting up an illegal financial network to fund protests and line their own pockets.