A significant demonstration against insecurity and government corruption turned violent in Mexico City over the weekend when protesters clashed with riot police near the National Palace. The protest, organized mainly by Generation Z youth groups, saw thousands of participants marching from the Angel of Independence monument to the Zocalo, the main square where the National Palace, the residence and office of President Claudia Sheinbaum, is situated.
Tensions escalated as masked demonstrators dismantled metal barriers protecting the palace, leading riot police to respond with tear gas and smoke bombs. Protesters engaged in physical altercations with officers, pushing and kicking fences while some threw stones.
The protest aimed to address specific instances of violence, such as the assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, with participants waving Mexican flags expressing frustration over the worsening security situation and government corruption. Andres Massa, a 29-year-old business consultant, emphasized the need for increased security while carrying a pirate skull flag, a symbol associated with Gen Z protests globally.
Gen Z individuals, born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, have been organizing protests against inequality, democratic regression, and corruption in various countries. Notable Gen Z demonstrations in Nepal resulted in the prime minister’s resignation following a social media ban earlier this year. In Mexico, many young people are disillusioned with systemic issues like corruption and the lack of accountability for violent crimes.
Despite recent high-profile murders, including the assassination of Mayor Manzo, President Sheinbaum retains high approval ratings. Leading up to the protest, Sheinbaum accused right-wing parties of attempting to infiltrate the Gen Z movement and using social media bots to boost attendance.
While some Gen Z influencers distanced themselves from the protest, notable figures like former president Vicente Fox and Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego voiced support for the demonstrations. The protest drew participants from various age groups, with supporters of Manzo donning straw hats symbolizing his political movement during the march.