There has been a deafening silence over the situation in Oaxaca. The real question is how close are we? Maybe that fence ain’t such a bad idea.

While some protesters retreated as federal forces advanced, others fortified their blockades, pledging a street-by-street defense against police.

Federal police armed with assault rifles and riot shields stormed this normally picturesque tourist destination Sunday, bypassing barricades and touching off fierce street battles as they tried to end five months of protests and violence. Officers in black helmets entered the city from several sides, reinforced by armored vehicles, trucks mounted with high-pressure water cannons and bulldozers. Helicopters roared overhead. Police marched up to a metal barrier blocking the historic city center — which has served as home base for the protests since late May — but pulled back as protesters armed with poles and sticks attacked them from behind, hurling burning tires. Protesters could be seen readying Molotov cocktails and other homemade bombs, but had yet to use them against police, who fired tear gas canisters. The area filled with black smoke from burning cars. Some protesters used syringes to pierce their arms and legs, then paint signs decrying the police in blood. “I think their strategy isn’t working,” said protest organizer Hugo Pacheco, leading a group against a column of police holding a position three blocks from the city center. “I don’t think this has worked for them because the people, we, the people, are right.”
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