Mexico union leader Elba Esther Gordillo arrested

15:10, 27 February 2013

MEXICO CITY. February 27. KAZINFORM Union head Elba Esther Gordillo, known as Mexico's most powerful woman, has been arrested on corruption charges.

Ms Gordillo, who runs the 1.5 million-member Mexican teachers' union, is alleged to have embezzled more than $156m from union funds.

No-one from her legal team has responded to the allegations, but in the past she has denied any wrongdoing.

Her arrest came a day after the government enacted major reforms to the education system.

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.

"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 airplanes and plastic surgery.

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).

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