Mexico Frees Protesters in Construction Dispute

SAN SALVADOR ATENCO, Mexico — State officials freed at least some prisoners Sunday night in hopes of winning freedom for hostages held by farmers protesting construction of a new Mexico City airport.

Local television showed people who had been arrested after a clash with police on Thursday leaving a prison Sunday.

Interior Secretary Santiago Creel also appealed for negotiations to end the four-day standoff, offering aid to the villagers.

“We are not going to have bloodshed,” Creel told a late-night news conference at President Vicente Fox’s residence.

Protesters had given a skeptical response to government proposals.

Release of all 12 prisoners “is no longer good enough. What we want now is a package. If it doesn’t come complete, it’s not worth anything,” protest leader David Pajaro told reporters.

Earlier Sunday, the protesters increased demands to include a meeting with Fox, more federal farm aid and the withdrawal of police and soldiers.

Creel urged the protesters to negotiate and dangled offers of money, housing and jobs if the airport project is accepted.

The government plans to expropriate 13,300 acres from San Salvador Atenco, paying as little as 70 cents per 1.2 square yards.

Armed with rusty machetes and three stolen gas tankers that they have threatened to blow up, the protesters are holding at least 15 hostages in a town they have controlled since late Thursday.