Oaxaca coffee exports unaffected by protests

Source: Reuters

OAXACA, Mexico, Nov 9 (Reuters) - A violent political crisis in the Mexican coffee-growing state of Oaxaca, which has seen protesters hijacking cars and trucks, does not threaten bean exports, the state coffee council said.

The council said output was set to rise this harvest.

Large parts of Oaxaca's pretty capital of the same name were seized months ago by protesters who built street barricades, chased out police and closed government buildings in a bid to oust the state governor.

Federal police have since gained control of the city's colonial center, but protesters still dominate some neighborhoods and frequently hijack trucks and buses to strengthen their roadblocks.

Coffee council head Fortino Figueroa said the harvest beginning in the next few weeks would not be affected by the crisis, which has seen at least a dozen people killed, most of them protesters.

More...