The United Steelworkers (USW) welcomed the release from jail today of Juan Linares Montufar, a union leader of the National Mexican Mine and Metal Workers Union - also called Los Mineros -- who had been unjustly imprisoned since December 3, 2008.
 
Linares's unconditional release follows a week of union protests at Mexican embassies and consulates in more than 40 countries, including 17 cities in the U.S. and Canada.  
 
"This is a tremendous victory for international trade union solidarity," said USW President Leo W. Gerard. Steelworkers in the U.S. and Canada have lobbied for Linares's release and provided support to his family. Click here for the entire release.