We republish below an unofficial translation of the following article from the popular and democratic Mexican newspaper Periódico Mural, originally published on April 2, 2025.
We have received news of the death of Professor Celedonio Luis Santibáñez, a former member of the Board of Directors of the Red Sun People’s Current and an active contributor to the popular and democratic press.
As soon as we found out, we went along with dozens of colleagues from various democratic, educational, cultural, and human rights organizations to lay a wreath for his body in the Zapotec lands of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. A huge, fluttering red flag of his organization, along with an olive-green cap with a red star, accompanied him in his laying.
Crying was inevitable, especially when listening to the various profiles of the life and struggle of Professor Cele, as we affectionately knew him. Some colleagues said that Professor Cele founded more than 20 rural schools, others that Professor Cele helped organize poor peasants and indigenous communities to seize and recover land. Someone else recalled that, along with hundreds of working-class families, he formed the “Victorious Occupation” just a few kilometers from the capital of Oaxaca. His achievements have been numerous.
His burial was accompanied by a mariachi band that played several of his favorite songs and others that are traditional for moments like this. Maestro Raúl Mendoza also accompanied him on his guitar, singing protest songs and, of course, the Internationale, which was sung for the last time at his grave by his comrades, who with red flags and raised fists bid farewell to one of their leaders.
Periódico Mural expresses its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Professor Celedonio Luis Santibáñez, who has recently returned to earth only to sprout into a clean tomorrow, with the revolution of the poor that he so longed for.
