Why did clashes occur between police and protesters in Mexico City in November 2025?

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Francisco Goya, Saturn — Generation Z protests In Greek and Roman myth the old god consumes his children to preserve his power. In many countries today the young face a version of the same fate: priced out of housing, burdened by debt, and taxed to sustain the pensions and property wealth of older generations.

The clashes in Mexico City on November 15, 2025, occurred during a large-scale, youth-led demonstration organized by the Generación Z México movement. While the protests began peacefully, they eventually turned tense, resulting in injuries to approximately 100 police officers and 20 civilians.1

The primary catalyst for these demonstrations was the assassination of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, who was killed on November 1, 2025, while attending a Day of the Dead celebration. Manzo was a vocal critic of organized crime, cartels, and government corruption. His death served as a flashpoint for widespread public frustration regarding the government’s perceived inability to curb systemic violence and ensure accountability.1

Beyond this specific incident, the protests reflected deeper grievances among young Mexicans, including economic insecurity, high crime rates, and a profound mistrust of national institutions. Participants expressed a desire to shape the country's future while feeling increasingly excluded from traditional political channels.1