mexicoImage Credit source: Photo by Daniel Cardenas/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The anger of GEN-Z has once again erupted in Mexico City. They are protesting against the country’s increasing crime, corruption, drug-related violence and the security policies of President Claudia Sheinbaum. Thousands of youth took to the streets on Saturday. The protest was organized by members of Gen-ji, but ended with strong support from elderly supporters of the opposition parties.

The largest GEN-Z protests took place in Nepal in September following a ban on social media, leading to the resignation of that country’s Prime Minister. Many young people in Mexico say they are troubled by major problems such as corruption and impunity for violent crimes.

Demonstration outside the National Palace

Protesters gathered outside the National Palace in Mexico City, where Sheinbaum lives and works. They demolished some barricades installed to protect the building.

Police guarding the complex used tear gas grenades and fire extinguishers to stop the protesters, while the protesters were trying to bring down the iron barricades. Some protesters shouted at the security forces, saying, “This is how you should have protected Carlos Manzo.”

What have people demanded?

“We need more security,” said business consultant Andres Massa. Dr. Arisbeth Garcia, 43, who joined the protest, said she was marching to demand more funding and better security for the public health system. He said that doctors are also victims of the insecurity spreading in the country, where anyone can be killed and nothing happens.

However, regarding the ongoing Gen Z Protest in the country, the country’s President Sheinbaum accused the right-wing parties of trying to infiltrate the Gen Z movement and trying to increase the crowd by using bots on social media.

People of many age groups participated in Saturday’s rally in the country. Recently the mayor of Michoacan was killed in the country. After this, supporters of recently killed Michoacan Mayor Carlos Manzo were also involved in this protest.

Controversy over the murder of Carlos Manzo

Sheinbaum, in power through October 2024, has maintained a popularity rating of more than 70 percent in her first year, but has also been criticized over her security policy, particularly due to several high-profile killings in the state of Michoacan. Banners with messages such as We’re All Carlos Manzo and pirate flags from the Japanese manga One Piece, which has now become a symbol of global youth movements, also appeared.

Carlos Manzo was the mayor of the city of Uruapan in Michoacan, who was assassinated on November 1. He had launched a campaign against drug-trafficking gangs in his city. Many people participating in this march passing through the main roads of the capital came wearing caps resembling Manzo. However, the wife of the slain mayor described her husband’s movement as separate from Saturday’s protests.