On Saturday, protests erupted across various cities in Mexico in response to President Claudia Sheinbaum’s handling of corruption and violent crime. The protests were motivated by the November 1 assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, who advocated against gang violence. The protesters linked themselves to a “Global Gen Z” movement, seeking numerous reforms, according to The New York Times. The protest drew attention to President Sheinbaum’s security strategy as the country continues to grapple with widespread gang violence and crime. One protester, interviewed by The New York Times, suggested that the United States should be directly involved in addressing crime within Mexico’s borders. President Sheinbaum has pushed back against this idea, stating that the United States’ involvement within Mexico’s borders would violate its sovereignty. 

Although the protests took place throughout Mexico, the largest of them occurred in Mexico City, at the National Palace, President Sheinbaum’s residence. According to The New York Times, various discussions occurred between protestors on the application Discord, from replacing Sheinbaum with opposition leader and billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego, to breaking into the presidential residence. President Sheinbaum claims her right-wing opponents and online bots fueled discourse and ignited the protests.

President Sheinbaum has ruled out changing her security strategy in the wake of Manzo’s assassination, noting that the militarization of the police force will not work and pointing to the United States’ war on drugs as an example. On combating corruption, another reason for the protests, Sheinbaum recently signed an anti-corruption law that passed unanimously in Mexico’s Senate. The new law brings extortion to the same level as other high-impact crimes. There is a notable push to address corruption at all levels of government, from municipal to national. Óscar Cantón Zetin, a Senator in Sheinbaum’s MORENA party, stated that “extortion affects all of Mexico, in every state and municipality,” as reported by Mexico Solidarity Media. This law is one of many that President Sheinbaum has signed to combat corruption and reform various levels of government.

Crime and corruption have a variety of impacts on the daily lives of the Mexican population. As evidenced by the protests, the Mexican population will continue to hold its leaders accountable as long as this is the case. Government reform and continued focus are necessary to ensure that everyday people in Mexico can enjoy long-term peace and prosperity. Reform must be focused on addressing the root causes of crime and corruption to establish lasting peace and security.