A peasant woman carrying cobs takes part in a protest in Mexico City on Wednesday against an increase in the price of corn

MEXICO CITY: Thousands of people marched in Mexico City to protest the sharp hike of basic food products, including tortillas, and to demand the government exclude food staples from the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta), which binds Mexico, Canada and the US into a free-trade zone.
“No corn, no country,” the protesters shouted as they reached central Zocalo square, in the first major demonstration to confront conservative President Felipe Calderon.
Organised by labour unions, farmer’s groups and opposition parties, participants at the Wednesday protest also demanded a minimum wage increase.
The Calderon administration recently hike minimum wages $4.3 to just $4.6 per day.
“Defend the basic rights to food, work and salary,” read one of the signs held high during the peaceful demonstration.
The protest was triggered by Calderon’s decision shortly after he took power to raise the price of tortillas by between 40% and 100%, varying by region.  Mexicans consume about 250-1000gms of tortillas a day. Milk prices also shot up.
A peasant woman carrying cobs takes part in a protest in Mexico City on Wednesday against an increase in the price of corn.Protesters also demanded the exclusion of staples like corn and beans from Nafta. – AFP