Youth-driven demonstrations have intensified across Mexico as members of “Generation Z Mexico” rally against what they describe as unchecked crime, corruption, and weak government accountability. The mobilization, which mirrors recent Gen Z activism in Nepal and Bangladesh, erupted after the killing of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, a politician known for opposing cartel influence. His death became the catalyst for a wave of youth frustration that had been building for months.
On November 16, crowds gathered in Mexico City and some protesters pushed toward the National Palace, turning the capital into a symbolic battleground over public security and democratic credibility. Although the movement brands itself as Gen Z–led and organizes largely through social media, reporting from AFP indicates that people from various age groups joined the demonstrations. The activists’ online “manifesto” lays out demands such as stronger judicial reforms, greater governmental transparency, improved public safety, and a recall vote targeting President Claudia Sheinbaum.
The Sheinbaum administration, however, has cast doubt on the authenticity of the movement’s spontaneity. Officials argue that opposition groups — particularly those on the political right — may be amplifying or coordinating the protests. In response, the government has initiated a review of accounts associated with the online campaign, a move critics warn could blur the line between security concerns and political surveillance.
Local authorities reported injuries among both police officers and civilians as clashes unfolded, though details remain limited. Mexico City’s security chief, Pablo Vázquez, stated that about 100 officers were hurt, with a portion requiring medical care, and roughly 20 civilians were also injured during the unrest.
Images from the capital show police deploying tear gas while young demonstrators, some wearing straw hats as a symbol of unity, advanced past security barriers. Graffiti appeared across central streets, expressing demands for justice, state accountability, and even the president’s resignation — visual evidence of a generational frustration that the government can no longer ignore.
