The most powerful woman in Mexico has gone from patron of presidents to prison cell.

Union leader Elba Esther Gordillo, known simply as "The Teacher", has been charged of of stealing up to $200m and links to organised crime.

A day before the arrest, President Enrique Pena Nieto signed into law new reforms that would break the union’s grip on Mexico’s schools.

That move has left some asking if the charges were timed to stop Gordillo from mobilizsng members to overturn the new policies.

Al Jazeera's John Hendren reports from Mexico City.