A massive march in Mexico City protesting President Claudia Sheinbaum's security policies and rising drug violence descended into chaos on Saturday, resulting in at least 120 injuries, predominantly among police officers.
The protest, primarily organized on social media by representatives of "Generation Z" but attended by people of various ages, initially proceeded peacefully. However, the situation turned violent when a group of hooded individuals began committing acts of aggression.
Mexico City Security Chief Pablo Vazquez reported that 100 police officers were injured, with 40 requiring hospital treatment for cuts and bruises. Additionally, 20 protesters were also reported hurt.
Authorities arrested 20 people on charges including assault and robbery, including a reported attack on a newspaper journalist.
Protesters gathered outside the National Palace, the residence and workplace of President Sheinbaum. They succeeded in knocking down some of the metal fences protecting the building. Police responded by deploying tear gas grenades and fire extinguishers to contain the crowd, who were throwing projectiles at the security forces. Shouts from the crowd included the taunt, "This is how you should have protected Carlos Manzo."
The demonstration was a reaction to the persistent issue of drug violence and criticism of the security strategy employed by the Sheinbaum administration, who took office in October 2024.
Many marchers carried banners and wore hats in tribute to Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan in Michoacan who was assassinated on November 1st for his crusade against drug-trafficking gangs. However, Manzo's widow subsequently distanced his movement from the day's demonstration.
Several attendees displayed the pirate flag from the Japanese manga "One Piece", a symbol increasingly adopted by global youth protest movements. Earlier in the week, President Sheinbaum, who maintains an approval rating above 70% in her first year, dismissed the protest's legitimacy. She called the mobilization "inorganic" and "paid for," claiming it was a "movement promoted from abroad against the government."
