International

Police and protesters clash in Mexico City amid anti-government demonstration

At least 120 people—including 100 police officers—were injured in clashes that erupted on the sidelines of anti-government protests in Mexico City, police reported, according to BBC.

Thousands of demonstrators marched on Saturday in the Mexican capital to protest the escalating wave of violent crime and the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum. The marches also took place in other cities.

Ms. Sheinbaum alleged that the protests were financed by right-wing politicians who oppose her government.

The demonstration was primarily organised by Gen Z youth groups, drawing support from citizens protesting against high-profile crimes, including the recent assassination of the Uruapan mayor, Carlos Manzo. Mr. Manzo had publicly called for firm measures against drug cartels.

Protesters attempted to breach a protective fence at the National Palace, the presidential residence. Police officers guarding the complex deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Mexico City's security chief, Pablo Vazquez, told reporters that authorities arrested 20 people for offences including robbery and assault.

Demonstrators carried signs, some reading, "We are all Carlos Manzo," while others wore cowboy hats in homage to the slain mayor.

Mr. Manzo was shot dead on November 1st while attending a Day of the Dead festival. He was an outspoken critic of drug trafficking gangs and the pervasive cartel violence in his city, having demanded firm action against armed gang members terrorising the country.

President Sheinbaum has taken steps against the cartels but opposes calls for a full-scale military offensive against drugs, citing her predecessors' bloody and ineffective attempts.

A few days before the march, the President had claimed the demonstration was being promoted by online bots.

"We agree with freedom of expression... but the problem here is who is promoting the demonstration," she said in a briefing. "People should know how this demonstration was organised, so that no one is manipulated."

Sheinbaum maintains a popularity rating of over 70% in her first year in office and has made progress in cracking down on fentanyl trafficking—a key issue for her US counterpart, Donald Trump.

However, she has faced significant criticism for failing to halt the national wave of violence and confronting increased hostility from neighbouring countries.

Earlier this month, the Peruvian Congress voted to declare Ms. Sheinbaum persona non grata—or undesirable in the country. The decision followed days after Peru broke off diplomatic relations with Mexico, after the Mexican government granted asylum to a former Peruvian prime minister accused of a 2022 attempted coup.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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