President Claudia Sheinbaum has criticized an upcoming Gen Z march scheduled for Saturday in Mexico City, asserting that it is financially backed by right-wing politicians and business leaders opposing her administration. During a daily news conference at the presidential palace, Sheinbaum claimed that eight million bots from outside the country were promoting the demonstration on social media.
She stated, “We agree with freedom of expression and freedom of demonstration if there are young people who have demands, but the issue here is who is promoting the demonstration. People should know how this demonstration was organized so that no one is used.”
Other government officials specified key individuals behind the march, naming billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego, former President Vicente Fox, and businessman Claudio X. Gonzalez as major sponsors, according to an analysis by Infodemia, an official fact-checking agency focused on combating misinformation targeting the government.
Representatives for Salinas Pliego, Fox, and Gonzalez did not respond to requests for comment. Miguel Elorza, head of Infodemia, noted during the same briefing that leaders from the opposition PRI and PAN parties are also supporting the protest.
If successful, the Gen Z march could present another challenge for Sheinbaum, who is already facing complex trade negotiations with the United States, ongoing efforts to combat organized crime, and attempts to stimulate an underperforming economy.
Globally, youth-led protests have emerged as a significant force, often challenging established authorities amid growing frustration over issues such as inequality, unemployment, and corruption. In Mexico, organizers intend for Gen Z to peacefully protest rising crime at the Zocalo, the capital’s main square. The movement gained traction following the recent assassination of Carlos Manzo, a mayor known for his stringent anti-crime policies, who was shot earlier this month in Uruapan, Michoacan.
In anticipation of the march, authorities have erected metal barriers to restrict access to the National Palace in downtown Mexico City. Concurrently, youth collectives in Peru have also been mobilizing, engaging in demonstrations for weeks, with another protest scheduled for Friday.
