Government sees potential damage to Canal Eleven's heritage after two months of occupation; Sheinbaum confirms investigation files

The Mexican government has confirmed ongoing investigations into potential damage to the historical archive of Canal Once following its two-month occupation by students from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN). President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that legal proceedings will be initiated to assess the extent of harm caused to the state-owned television channel’s heritage collection. Students occupied the Channel Once premises starting May 20, refusing to vacate despite multiple attempts at dialogue with authorities. The Ministry of Public Education's secretary, Mario Delgado, stated that while negotiations were held through working groups led by Deputy Secretary Ricardo Villanueva and IPN officials, none of the students' demands pertained directly to the television station. Despite these efforts, the occupation persisted for over two months. Delgado emphasized that the government had consistently requested the return of the Channel Once facilities due to their technological assets and particularly the historic video library containing more than seven decades of content. On Sunday, workers from the channel, led by director Renata Turrent, peacefully entered the premises and found only six individuals remaining. These students were invited to leave without incidents, after which the situation was reported to the Attorney General’s Office and a notary to document the condition of the site. An initial inspection revealed possible damage to the audiovisual archives, though the severity remains unclear. Delgado noted visible signs of disorder and broken materials on the ground, stating that the true impact of the damage is yet to be determined. He added that further assessments will be conducted to evaluate the extent of harm inflicted upon the national heritage. President Sheinbaum criticized the prolonged occupation of the television station, highlighting that the students’ demands were related to the IPN rather than the media outlet itself. She questioned the logic behind extending the occupation so long, especially given that the station continued broadcasting operations from temporary locations at the Ministry of Public Education. She also mentioned that preliminary reports suggested some of the occupants received financial support, and it will be up to judicial authorities to trace the origin of such resources. Sheinbaum reiterated that a thorough inventory will be carried out to determine the full scope of damages and that legal action will follow if the property of the nation was harmed. She noted that, despite the occupation, Canal Once maintained its transmissions, with operations temporarily relocated to the Ministry of Public Education’s premises. With the recovery of the facility, she indicated that the channel would resume regular broadcasts from its main location, pending the completion of the assessment process. Authorities continue to conduct evaluations of the affected areas, focusing on the preservation of the country’s audiovisual heritage. The outcome of these investigations could have implications for future student protests and the management of public institutions. As the evaluation proceeds, the government remains committed to ensuring accountability for any harm caused to state property.