120 Injured as Anti-Government Protests Rock Mexico City

In Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, thousands of people took to the streets to participate in anti-government protests, which escalated into clashes with the police. According to official data, at least 120 people were injured, 100 of whom are police officers.

The reason for the protests was the atmosphere of violence in the country and the policies of President Claudia Sheinbaum. One of the main reasons for the protesters' dissatisfaction is the murder of the mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, who was known for his tough stance against drug cartels and calls for a relentless fight. The protesters, a significant part of whom were young people of "Generation Z," raised their voices against corruption, abuse of power, and impunity.

The protest, organized by the "Generation Z Mexico" youth movement, quickly gained momentum, attracting thousands of citizens. The protesters marched towards the National Palace, where President Sheinbaum's residence is located. The situation escalated when the protesters tried to dismantle the barriers protecting the palace, to which the police responded with tear gas. As a result of the clashes, 40 police officers were hospitalized, and 20 citizens were arrested on charges of looting and assault.

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada condemned the violence, stating that the right to protest should not turn into violence. At the same time, President Sheinbaum stated that the protests are financed by opposition right-wing political forces that are against her government. She also questioned the spontaneous nature of the protests, noting that information about them was spread on the internet through bots.

Despite a high approval rating of over 70% in her first year in office and some success in combating fentanyl trafficking, Sheinbaum faces criticism for her inability to curb violence in the country. Her policies are causing dissatisfaction not only within the country but also in relations with neighboring states. Recently, the Peruvian Congress declared Sheinbaum "persona non grata" after Mexico granted asylum to the former Prime Minister of Peru, who is accused of attempting a coup in 2022.