Protest in Mexico City Turns Violent Over Mayor’s Assassination

Tensions escalated during a protest in Mexico City on Saturday, resulting in violence and injuries as thousands rallied against the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum. The demonstration, primarily organized by members of Generation Z, was fueled by outrage over the recent assassination of Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, the mayor of Uruapan in Michoacán, who was murdered on November 1, 2023, while combating drug trafficking in his area.

According to the security chief for Mexico City, Pablo Vázquez, at least 120 individuals were injured in the chaos, including approximately 100 police officers. Forty of those officers required hospital treatment for various injuries, while 20 protesters also sustained injuries. The peaceful march took a violent turn when a group of individuals wearing masks began to disrupt the proceedings, prompting a response from law enforcement.

Protesters gathered outside the National Palace, where Sheinbaum resides and conducts official business, and began dismantling metal barricades. The police deployed tear gas and fire extinguishers to control the situation as demonstrators pounded on the fences surrounding the compound. Some protesters expressed their frustration directly at law enforcement, shouting, “This is how you should have protected Carlos Manzo.”

The protest was not solely a youth movement; older supporters of opposition parties joined in solidarity, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s security policies. Rosa Maria Avila, a 65-year-old real estate agent who traveled from Michoacán, stated, “He was killed because he was a man who was sending officers into the mountains to fight delinquents. He had the guts to confront them.”

Younger protesters, including Andres Massa, a 29-year-old business consultant, carried flags symbolizing Generation Z’s global protests. “We need more security,” he declared amid the turmoil. The demonstration underscored a broader call for improved safety measures in light of rising violence and high-profile murders in the country.

“This is how you should have protected Carlos Manzo,”

some demonstrators chanted, emphasizing their demands for accountability and justice.

In the lead-up to the protest, Sheinbaum, who has maintained approval ratings above 70% since taking office in October 2024, accused right-wing parties of attempting to infiltrate the Gen Z movement. She alleged that these factions were using social media bots to artificially inflate attendance at protests against her administration. “It is a movement promoted from abroad against the government,” she asserted.

The violence that erupted during Saturday’s protest reflects the deep-seated frustrations within Mexican society regarding security issues and the government’s handling of crime. As the nation grapples with these challenges, the voices of citizens demanding change continue to resonate across the streets of Mexico City and beyond.

The events of this weekend raise significant questions about the future of political discourse and activism in Mexico, particularly among the younger generations who feel deeply affected by the ongoing violence in their communities.