At Least 120 Injured as Protests Erupt in Mexico

At least 120 people, including 100 police officers, were injured Saturday when thousands marched against rising cartel violence and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government.

The protests were led by Gen Z youth groups, who took to the streets after the assassination of Carlos Manzo, a mayor who had spoken out against cartel violence. Demonstrators tore down barriers near Mexico’s National Palace, leading police to fire tear gas. Authorities reported 20 arrests.

Protesters carried banners reading “We are all Carlos Manzo” and wore cowboy hats in his honour. Manzo was killed on November 1 while attending a Day of the Dead festival.

Sheinbaum, who remains popular with approval ratings above 70%, accused right-wing opponents of funding the marches and warned that online “bots” were used to stir unrest.

“We agree with freedom of expression and freedom of demonstration if there are young people who have demands, but the issue here is who is promoting the demonstration,” she said in a briefing.