Clashes injure 120 at protest against Mexico president

As thousands of protesters marched through Mexico City on Saturday to oppose President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government, at least 120 people—mostly police officers—were hurt, according to local officials.

While members of “Generation Z” organized the protest against drug violence and Sheinbaum’s security practices on social media, AFP observed protestors of all ages.

In her first year in office, Sheinbaum, who has been in charge since October 2024, has maintained support ratings above 70%. However, because of a number of high-profile killings, she has come under fire for her security strategy.

“For many hours, this mobilization proceeded and developed peacefully, until a group of hooded individuals began to commit acts of violence,” Pablo Vazquez, security chief for Mexico City, told reporters.

He reported that 100 police officers were injured, of whom 40 required hospital treatment for bruises and cuts, while 20 protesters were also hurt.

According to Vazquez, authorities detained 20 individuals for offenses like robbery and assault, including an alleged assault on a newspaper writer.

Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan in Michoacan state, was slain on November 1 after spearheading a campaign against drug-trafficking gangs in his town. Many of the demonstrators carried banners and wore hats in his honor.

However, the widow of the deceased mayor disassociated her husband’s movement from Saturday’s protest.

Several of those attending the march also displayed the pirate flag emblematic of the Japanese manga “One Piece,” which has become a symbol of global youth protest.

Earlier this week, Sheinbaum questioned the motivations for the demonstration and said at her regular morning press conference that the protest call was “inorganic” and “paid for.”

“It is a movement promoted from abroad against the government,” the president said.

Protesters gathered in front of the National Palace in Mexico City, where Sheinbaum lives and works, and knocked down some of the metal fences protecting the building.

Police protecting the compound used tear gas grenades and fire extinguishers to contain the protesters, who were banging on the fences.

“This is how you should have protected Carlos Manzo,” some of the protesters shouted at the security forces.

Hundreds of young people threw projectiles at the police, who responded by deploying their shields and also threw objects at the protesters.