Mexico witnessed the first Gen Z protest nationwide on Saturday, November 15, 2025, over corruption and crime.
Thousands of Gen Z protestors took to the streets to voice their anger against corruption and drug violence that claimed tens of thousands of Mexican lives each year.
Rallies emerged from dozens of cities from Tijuana in the north to Oaxaca in the south, with some demonstrators carrying the 'one-piece pirate flag' that has become a global symbol of the youth movement.
The demonstrations in Mexico City's Zocalo Plaza, which is home to the offices of Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, began peacefully but later turned violent, with protestors.
Mexico’s chief security officer, Pablo Vazquez, said, “For many hours, this mobilisation proceeded and developed peacefully, until a group of hooded individuals began to commit acts of violence.”
Almost 120 people were injured after protesters pelted riot police with rocks and officers fought back with shields, batons and fire extinguishers.
The chief security officer further reported that almost 100 police officers were injured, of whom 40 required hospital treatment for serious injuries.
The protests in Mexico were fueled after the killing of an anti-crime mayor earlier this month.
As reported by Reuters, a small group of protesters tore down fences around the National Palace where Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum lives, prompting a clash with riot police who deployed tear gas.
Many of the protesters held banners and wore hats saluting Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodriguez, the Mexican Mayor who was assassinated on November 1, 2025, having led a crusade against drug trafficking gangs in his town.
One of the protesters said, “He was killed because he was a man who was sending officers into the mountains to fight delinquents, and he had the guts to confront them."
Hundreds of Gen Z marchers threw projectiles at the police, who responded by deploying their shields and throwing other objects at the protesters.
Youngsters in Mexico expressed that they are frustrated with systemic problems such as corruption and impunity for violent crimes.
“The state is dying”, said one of the protestors, Rosa Maria.
Following the violent protest, thousands more joined Gen Z rallies.
While President Sheinbaum accused right-wing parties of trying to infiltrate the Gen Z movement, trying to provoke and increase the number of protesters.
Sheinbaum said, “It is a movement promoted from abroad against the Government.”
Whereas former President Vicente Fox Quesada and Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego published messages in support of the protests.
