Mexico: Taking down 'The Teacher' - Inside Story Americas - Al Jazeera English

Mexico arrested Elba Esther Gordillo on suspicion of embezzling $200 million of union funds and using intermediaries to move money to bank accounts in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, then back to the United States, in order to buy property in San Diego and pay for works of art and plastic surgery.

Known as La Maestra or 'The Teacher', Gordillo headed the National Union of Education Workers or SNTE, which is estimated to have 1.5 million members.

It is a significant voting bloc in Mexico and with Gordillo's backing - it helped to swing a close presidential election in Felipe Calderon's favor in 2006.

Gordillo's arrest is a political move and has to do with a settlement of accounts more than with accountability


Mexico: Taking down 'The Teacher' - Inside Story Americas - Al Jazeera English