During the weekend of May 9, 2026, a violent police operation took place in Zacatecas, resulting in the arrest of students from the Autonomous University of Zacatecas (UAZ), farmers, and activists.
The reason for the arrests:
The students were detained by members of the Zacatecas Immediate Reaction Force (FRIZ) near the Multiforo convention center while showing solidarity with bean farmers protesting the government’s failure to fulfill its grain procurement agreements.
Witnesses and reports confirmed that among those arrested were young people who had gone to the location specifically to distribute water and food to the protesters.
Details of the operation:
Context: The protest aimed to pressure the state government to fulfill its promise to collect 1,500 tons of beans, a promise made in March.
Intervention: The eviction occurred prior to a concert organized for Mother’s Day. Number of arrests: Between 8 and 12 people were reported detained on charges of “disobedience and resistance by private individuals.” Among the students and activists identified are Natalia Amaya Ibarra, Juan Carlos Luna Flores, and Rosa Isela Hernández.
Current situation of the students: The Autonomous University of Zacatecas (UAZ) confirmed that, following social pressure and the intervention of university authorities, the students were released in the early hours of Sunday, May 10.
In response to these events, various civil organizations, unions, and student groups called for a massive march this Monday, May 11, to condemn the police repression and demand respect for the right to protest.
Source: OEM
