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Mexico union leader charged with organised crime Mexico union leader charged with organised crime
(about 9 hours later)
Union head Elba Esther Gordillo, considered Mexico's most powerful woman, has been charged with the use of illicit funds and conspiracy.Union head Elba Esther Gordillo, considered Mexico's most powerful woman, has been charged with the use of illicit funds and conspiracy.
Ms Gordillo, who runs the 1.5 million-member Mexican teachers' union, was arrested on Tuesday and is alleged to have embezzled more than $200m.Ms Gordillo, who runs the 1.5 million-member Mexican teachers' union, was arrested on Tuesday and is alleged to have embezzled more than $200m.
She reportedly spent millions on a US department store, plastic surgery, property and a private plane.She reportedly spent millions on a US department store, plastic surgery, property and a private plane.
Her arrest came a day after the enactment of major educational reforms.Her arrest came a day after the enactment of major educational reforms.
President Enrique Pena Nieto signed the sweeping reforms, which seek to change a system dominated by Ms Gordillo's union in which teaching positions could be sold or inherited. In a televised address President Enrique Pena Nieto appeared to deliver a message directly to members of Ms Gordillo's union.
"My government will continue to be your ally and will work towards improving conditions to raise the education of the citizens of tomorrow," he said. "You, teachers, are the pillars of the national education system."
The reforms are designed to change a union-dominated system in which teaching positions could be sold or inherited.
"We are looking at a case in which the funds of education workers have been illegally misused, for the benefit of several people, among them Elba Esther Gordillo," Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam said."We are looking at a case in which the funds of education workers have been illegally misused, for the benefit of several people, among them Elba Esther Gordillo," Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam said.
His office alleges Ms Gordillo, 68, used the money on property, including in the US, private planes and plastic surgery. Ms Gordillo. 68, appeared briefly in court on Wednesday to hear the charges, which she denies.
The BBC's Will Grant in Mexico City says that Ms Gordillo is one of the highest profile figures in Mexican political life, known simply as "La Maestra" or "the teacher". Mr Murillo Karam's office alleges that she used the money to fund her lavish lifestyle including accounts in high-end department stores and two mansions in San Diego in the US.
For more than 20 years she has led the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE). During that time she was ostensibly on a teacher's salary.
Mexican police raided properties on Wednesday belonging to her in search of evidence of corruption.
The BBC's Will Grant in Mexico City says that Ms Gordillo is one of the highest-profile figures in Mexican political life, known simply as "La Maestra" or "the teacher".
For more than 20 years she has led the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE), the most powerful union in Latin America.
Our correspondent says it has so far remained tight-lipped about her arrest, although there are signs that it is now preparing for life without her.
Political playerPolitical player
With an estimated 1.5 million members, the SNTE is considered Latin America's most powerful union.
Ms Gordillo has held real influence over governments and individual presidents by persuading her union members to vote as a single bloc, our correspondent says.Ms Gordillo has held real influence over governments and individual presidents by persuading her union members to vote as a single bloc, our correspondent says.
The teachers were also responsible for manning polling stations on election day.The teachers were also responsible for manning polling stations on election day.
Her union is very wealthy, and can count on an annual budget of tens of millions of dollars.Her union is very wealthy, and can count on an annual budget of tens of millions of dollars.
It is on claims that she mishandled those funds, allegedly diverting money intended for the union's coffers to her personal accounts, that she has now been arrested.It is on claims that she mishandled those funds, allegedly diverting money intended for the union's coffers to her personal accounts, that she has now been arrested.
The education reforms appeared set to weaken the SNTE, which has largely controlled access to the profession.The education reforms appeared set to weaken the SNTE, which has largely controlled access to the profession.
The union has argued that reforms could lead to massive lay-offs.The union has argued that reforms could lead to massive lay-offs.
Critics also say the changes could signal the start of the privatisation of education in Mexico.Critics also say the changes could signal the start of the privatisation of education in Mexico.
Mexico's education system currently ranks bottom in a list of members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).Mexico's education system currently ranks bottom in a list of members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The reforms will require teachers to undergo regular assessments, something that has previously never taken place inside Mexico's primary and secondary schools.The reforms will require teachers to undergo regular assessments, something that has previously never taken place inside Mexico's primary and secondary schools.
Many teachers in Mexico are said to have a very low standard of education themselves. Ms Gordillo has requested medical attention in jail saying she suffers from a range of ailments after she donated a kidney many years ago.
Another change is intended to tackle the problem of absent or even deceased teachers receiving wages. Her legal team have described her health as "precarious".
Ms Gordillo has been an outspoken critic of the current education minister and his approach to the reforms.