Thousands protest against government in Mexico over violent crime

Thousands of demonstrators demonstrated in Mexico City to protest violent crimes and the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum.

The demonstration was organized by Generation Z youth groups, and attracted support from citizens protesting high-profile killings, including the assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo just weeks ago — who called for tough action against gangs.

President Sheinbaum said the marches, which took place in other cities, were funded by right-wing politicians who oppose her government.

On Saturday, demonstrators dismantled parts of the barrier protecting the National Palace, where Sheinbaum lives. The police protecting the complex used tear gas on the crowds.

On Saturday, demonstrators waved signs with messages including “We are all Carlos Manzo,” while others wore cowboy hats in his honor.

Manzo was shot on November 1 while attending a Day of the Dead festival.

He was known for speaking out about his city’s drug trafficking rings and gang violence.

He was demanding strict action against armed cartel members terrorizing the country.

Chairman Sheinbaum has been acting against the cartels but resisting calls for another all-out war on drugs. Previous attempts by her predecessors ended in bloody results.

Days before the march began, the president said the demonstration was being promoted by bots online.

She said in a press briefing: “We agree with freedom of expression and freedom to demonstrate if there are young people who have demands, but the issue here is who is promoting the demonstration.”

“People should know how this demonstration was organized so that no one is taken advantage of.”

Sheinbaum maintains approval ratings above 70% in her first year in office, and has come a long way in cracking down on fentanyl trafficking – a key issue for her US counterpart, Donald Trump.

But it has been criticized for failing to stop the violence sweeping the country and faces increasing hostility from neighboring countries.

Earlier this month, the Peruvian Congress voted to declare Sheinbaum persona non grata — or unwelcome in the country.

The decision came days after Peru Cutting diplomatic relations with MexicoThis is after the Mexican government granted asylum to a former Peruvian prime minister facing charges of attempting a coup in 2022.