Following the July 2024 Revolution in Bangladesh and the Sept. 2025 Gen Z protests in Nepal, Saturday, Nov. 15, saw thousands of demonstrators marching to Mexico City, and other cities across the country to protest the corruption and drug violence that pervade their streets. The protesters mobilized under the name Generation Z Mexico, in the wake of the assassination of Mayor Carlos Manzo, on Nov. 1.

Taking office as the Uruapan municipality’s mayor in Sept. 2024, Carlos Manzo called for the federal government of President Claudia Sheinbaum to take more action in fighting organized crime. The Global Conflict Tracker reports that over 30,000 people in Mexico have been killed each year since 2018 as a result of criminal violence, with the Mexican Congress allowing the military (the National Guard) to carry out domestic law enforcement to battle the insurgency of cartel violence. Multiple critics have argued against Sheinbaum’s continuation of the militarized approach, deeming it insufficient to tackle Mexico’s security issues, as, kidnappings, killings, and attacks on journalists remain prevalent, with a third of the country being under the control of drug cartels. Manzo had previously appealed to Sheinbaum on social media for help in confronting the criminal groups and cartels. In a statement for Mexico’s Milenio TV he stated, “How many mayors have they killed because they opposed making these pacts with organised crime?” He was gunned down on Saturday, Nov. 1, during the Day of the Dead festivities, prompting thousands to take to the streets in organized protests. This murder is preceded by the assassinations of Tacambaro’s Mayor, Salvador Bastidas, and journalist Mauricio Cruz Solis, both in high-crime vicinities similar to those Manzo headed.

Gen Z youth groups organized the rally, consisting of citizens protesting against high-profile killings, state corruption, and the outbreak of violence, which severely impacts the daily life of individuals. Carrying the global symbol of Gen Z protests, the One Piece pirate skill flag, demonstrators marched to Mexico City, waving banners displaying messages such as “We are all Carlos Manzo” and wearing cowboy hats in tribute to him. While the demonstrations started peacefully in dozens of cities across the country, in the capital’s Zócalo Plaza (home to the offices of Sheinbaum), they later slid into violence, as protesters pelted riot police with rocks, and the police responded with fire extinguishers, batons, and shields. Faced with police violence, the demonstrators yelled, “This is how you should have protected Carlos Manzo”.

At least 120 people were injured in the protests, 100 of whom were police officers. Authorities have arrested 20 individuals for robbery and assault, as multiple protesters were detained in other states. President Sheinbaum accused the Gen Z protests of being a “movement promoted from abroad against the government”, claiming rightwing parties infiltrated the movement and used social media bots to try to increase attendance.

As of Nov. 21, the Mexican security minister has revealed that the police have arrested a man accused of being behind the assassination, who is allegedly linked to the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Whether or not the culprit will be brought to justice, only time will tell, but as the precedent of the criminal environment of Mexico suggests a lack of accountability, Manzo might just become one in an ever-growing list of individuals martyred in the seemingly futile fight to crack down on Mexico’s cartels. One might hope that the mobilization of thousands could change the tide, but as Sheinbaum’s approval ratings remain above 70% following her first year in office, this does not seem likely at the moment.