Mexican police have reopened a central square in the city of Oaxaca after clearing out protesters demanding that the state governor resign.
Witnesses said federal police cleaned up trash and painted over graffiti left by activists who launched the protests five months ago. Some foreign tourists also returned to the popular vacation spot on Tuesday.
Protesters, however, remain in control of many other parts of the city. And organizers say they will not quit the protests until Governor Ulises Ruiz resigns over corruption allegations.
At least nine people, including a U.S. journalist, have been killed in the crisis in recent weeks.
A United Nations human rights expert says he has received reports of abuse by paramilitary groups in the crackdown.
He urged Mexico's government to investigate the claims of murder and arbitrary detention.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.