Thousands of protesters marched in the Mexican capital on Saturday against violent crime and the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum. According to Sheinbaum, the marches that also took place in other cities in the country were funded by right-wing politicians who oppose her administration.
The protest was organized by groups of young people of Generation Z, also attracting citizens seeking justice for high-profile murders, including the assassination a few weeks ago of the mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, who had called for tougher measures against the cartels.
Protesters tore down parts of the barrier protecting the National Palace, where Sheinbaum lives. Police guarding the complex used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Mexico City's security chief, Pablo Vazquez, told reporters that 20 people had been arrested for offenses including robbery and physical assault.
Protesters held banners with messages such as "We are all Carlos Manzo," while some of them wore cowboy hats in his honor.
Manzo was shot dead on November 1. He was known for his outspoken statements against drug trafficking gangs and cartel violence in his city. He had long called for tougher action against armed cartel members who sowed terror in the country.
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Sheinbaum has acted against the cartels but has rejected calls for another all-out war on drugs, as similar efforts by her predecessors have ended in bloody defeats.
A few days before the march, the president declared that the protest was being promoted by bots on social media.
