Thousands of demonstrators marched along Mexico City's streets Sunday to protest against the government's plan to privatize the nation's oil industry.
The protest was led by former Mexico City mayor and presidential candidate Andres Lopez Obrador. More than 30,000 people took part in the rally, local police said.
Addressing demonstrators in Zacalo square, the biggest public square in central Mexico City, Obrador said President Felip Calderon's plan "violated the spirit and letter" of the Constitution.
President Calderon proposed on April 8 to the Mexican Senate an energy reform plan, including opening Mexico's state-run oil company Pemex to domestic and foreign investment.
Two days later, Obrador's leftist Broad Progressive Front (FAP) took over both houses of the Mexican Congress, forcing the government to submit the oil bill to a debate before heading directly to a vote.
FAP members said the debate in May will clearly show that Mexicans are not in favor of the privatization of Pemex. What they do want is to put an end to corruption in Pemex, they added.
Mexican Energy Ministry said in a statement Sunday that the state will never lose control of Pemex.
Source:Xinhua
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