At least 120 people - 100 of them police officers - have been injured in clashes during anti-government protests in Mexico City, police reported. Thousands of demonstrators marched in the Mexican capital on Saturday to protest against violent crime and President Claudia Sheinbaum's government. Sheinbaum remarked that the marches, which were echoed in other cities, were funded by right-wing politicians opposed to her administration.
The rally was organized by Gen Z youth groups, garnering citizen support following high-profile killings, including the recent assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, who advocated for strong action against cartels.
Protesters dismantled parts of a barrier protecting the National Palace, and police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Authorities arrested 20 individuals for crimes such as robbery and assault during the protest.
Demonstrators chanted messages like 'We are all Carlos Manzo,' while some wore cowboy hats in homage to the slain mayor, who was shot during a Day of the Dead festival, known for his outspoken stance against drug-trafficking gangs.
While President Sheinbaum retains a high approval rating above 70%, she has faced increased criticism for the ongoing violence in Mexico and is navigating international relations that have worsened recently, including Peru's Congress declaring her a persona non grata following diplomatic tensions over asylum cases. As the protests unfold, Sheinbaum's government is at a crossroads, caught between public anger and questions about its capacity to curb growing insecurity.
The rally was organized by Gen Z youth groups, garnering citizen support following high-profile killings, including the recent assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, who advocated for strong action against cartels.
Protesters dismantled parts of a barrier protecting the National Palace, and police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Authorities arrested 20 individuals for crimes such as robbery and assault during the protest.
Demonstrators chanted messages like 'We are all Carlos Manzo,' while some wore cowboy hats in homage to the slain mayor, who was shot during a Day of the Dead festival, known for his outspoken stance against drug-trafficking gangs.
While President Sheinbaum retains a high approval rating above 70%, she has faced increased criticism for the ongoing violence in Mexico and is navigating international relations that have worsened recently, including Peru's Congress declaring her a persona non grata following diplomatic tensions over asylum cases. As the protests unfold, Sheinbaum's government is at a crossroads, caught between public anger and questions about its capacity to curb growing insecurity.
