Thousands Protest Mexican Government Over Violent Crime and Policy

Thousands of demonstrators marched in Mexico City to protest against violent crime and the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum. On Saturday, protesters partially dismantled a barrier protecting the National Palace, where President Sheinbaum resides. Law enforcement personnel at the compound deployed tear gas towards the crowds.

President Sheinbaum stated that these marches, which also took place in other cities, were financed by political opposition groups. Days before the demonstration, the president asserted that it was being promoted by online bots. She remarked in a briefing, "We uphold freedom of expression and freedom of demonstration if young people have demands, but the central issue is who is promoting this demonstration. Individuals should be aware of how this demonstration was organized to prevent any form of manipulation."

The rally was organized by Generation Z youth groups and drew support from citizens protesting high-profile killings. Among the cases highlighted was the assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, which occurred weeks prior to the protests. Manzo was fatally shot on November 1 during a Day of the Dead festival.

Mayor Manzo was recognized for his public comments regarding drug-trafficking organizations and cartel violence within his municipality. He had advocated for stringent measures against armed cartel members.

Demonstrators displayed banners, some bearing the message "We are all Carlos Manzo," while others wore cowboy hats in tribute to the late mayor.

President Sheinbaum has maintained approval ratings above 70% in her initial year in office. Her administration has reported progress in addressing fentanyl trafficking, which is a key issue for the United States.

However, the government has faced criticism regarding its perceived failure to mitigate the ongoing violence across the country. The administration has also encountered increased diplomatic challenges. Sheinbaum's government has implemented measures against cartels but has not pursued an all-out war on drugs, citing the violent consequences of similar campaigns by previous administrations.

Earlier this month, Peru's Congress declared President Sheinbaum "persona non grata," a term signifying an unwelcome person in the country. This decision came days after Peru severed diplomatic ties with Mexico. The diplomatic rupture occurred following the Mexican government's granting of asylum to a former Peruvian prime minister who is facing charges related to a 2022 coup attempt.