OAXACA, Mexico -- For months, outgoing Mexican President Vicente Fox resisted repeated calls to send federal forces to quell protests and violence in this city, opting instead to try to negotiate a peaceful end to the standoff.
But after the deaths of an American and two local residents in protests on Friday, Fox sent in thousands of federal police who launched the first major offensive Sunday to end five months of unrest in a city that was once one of Mexico's top tourist attractions.
Armed with assault rifles and riot shields, the police stormed in, bypassing barricades, touching off fierce street battles and eventually taking back control of the city centre from protesters who had held it since May.
A human rights worker said a 15-year-old protester was killed but authorities did not immediately confirm his death.
As night fell, police seized control of city's central square, where the protests had been headquartered. Explosions could be heard regularly in outlying districts, as vehicles burned and demonstrators set off powerful fireworks.
Protesters said they had tried to contact the Interior Department late Sunday to negotiate, but were unable to reach anyone.
They also said electricity was cut to the radio station being used to transmit information to demonstrators.
Protest spokesman Roberto Garcia said 50 of their supporters had been arrested and police were searching houses, looking for leaders of the unrest. Human rights worker Jesica Sanchez said the 15-year-old boy was killed when he was hit by a tear-gas canister.
Earlier, as helicopters roared overhead, officers in black helmets entered the city from several sides, reinforced by armoured vehicles, trucks mounted with high-pressure water cannons and bulldozers. They marched up to a final metal barrier blocking the city centre, but pulled back as protesters armed with sticks attacked them from behind, hurling burning tires. The air filled with black smoke and tear gas.
Some demonstrators used syringes to pierce their arms and legs, then paint signs in their own blood decrying the police.
Protesters readied bottles filled with gasoline and other homemade bombs, but did not use them against police.
"I think their strategy isn't working," said protest leader Hugo Pacheco, who was leading a group against a column of police holding a position three blocks from the city centre. "I don't think this has worked for them because the people, we, the people, are right."
What began more than five months ago as a teacher's strike in this colonial southern Mexican city of roughly 275,000 spiralled into chaos as anarchists, students and Indian groups seized the central plaza and barricaded streets throughout the city to demand the ouster of Oaxaca state Gov. Ulises Ruiz.
Protesters accused Ruiz of rigging his 2004 election and using thugs to kill or crush political opponents. They say his resignation is not negotiable and they won't return home without it. The violence has driven tourists from one of Mexico's most popular destinations, forcing hotels and restaurants to close their doors.
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