Mexico City – Violent clashes erupted Saturday between police and protesters in Mexico City, as demonstrations led by Gen Z activists turned confrontational amid widespread anger over the recent assassination of a mayor known for his anti-drug trafficking stance. At least 100 police officers were injured, 40 requiring hospital treatment for bruises and cuts, while 20 protesters were also hurt, according to authorities.
The protests,focused outside the National Palace – the official residence and workplace of President Claudia Sheinbaum – reflect growing frustration with escalating violence and perceived security failures under her administration. demonstrators specifically cited the November 1st murder of Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez,the mayor of Uruapan in Michoacan state,as a catalyst for the unrest. manzo Rodríguez had been leading a crackdown on drug cartels in his city.
Many protesters carried banners and wore hats honoring Manzo Rodríguez, with some chanting, “This is how you should have protected Carlos Manzo” at the security forces. Hundreds threw projectiles at police, who responded with shields and, at times, by throwing objects back. Police deployed teargas and fire extinguishers to contain the crowds, who had knocked down metal fences surrounding the palace.
The demonstrations come as Sheinbaum, who took office in October 2024 and currently maintains approval ratings above 70%, faces increasing criticism over her security policies following a series of high-profile murders.
“He was killed because he was a man who was sending officers into the mountains to fight delinquents,” said Rosa Maria Avila, a 65-year-old real estate agent who traveled from Michoacan state to participate in the protest. “He had the guts to confront them.”
Andres Massa, a 29-year-old business consultant, carried a pirate skull flag – a symbol increasingly associated with Gen Z protests globally – and stated, “We need more security.”
In the days prior to the protest, Sheinbaum accused right-wing parties of attempting to infiltrate the Gen Z movement and using social media bots to inflate attendance numbers, claiming the protests were “a movement promoted from abroad against the government.”
