Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Mexico City to protest violent crime and the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum. The rally, organized by Gen Z youth groups, aimed to address concerns over high-profile killings, including the recent assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, who had advocated for stringent measures against cartels.
President Sheinbaum claimed that the demonstrations, which occurred in various cities, were financed by right-wing politicians opposing her government. During the protest, participants dismantled sections of a barrier around the National Palace, where the president resides. Police responded with tear gas to control the crowd.
Demonstrators displayed banners with slogans like “We are all Carlos Manzo” and donned cowboy hats in his honor. Manzo was fatally shot while attending a Day of the Dead festival on November 1, known for his candid discussions about cartel violence and drug-trafficking gangs in his region. He had been vocal about the need for government action against armed groups terrorizing the country.
While Sheinbaum has taken steps against cartels, she has refrained from launching another all-out war on drugs, a strategy that has historically led to violent outcomes. Before the march, she suggested that the protest was being promoted through online bots. In her remarks, she acknowledged the importance of freedom of expression but urged people to understand the organization behind the protest.
Despite maintaining approval ratings exceeding 70% during her first year in office, Sheinbaum has faced criticism for her inability to curb the ongoing violence and has encountered increasing pushback from neighboring countries. Earlier this month, Peru’s Congress declared her persona non grata following Mexico’s decision to grant asylum to a former Peruvian prime minister implicated in a coup attempt in 2022.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn8vm30rr78o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss