• Thousands protested in Mexico, sparked by the murder of Michoacán Mayor Carlos Manzo.
• Clashes between demonstrators and police escalated during the protests.
• President Claudia Sheinbaum accused right-wing parties of manipulating the Gen Z movement.
• Protesters voiced frustration over systemic crime and corruption.
• The protests gained unexpected support from older political figures.

Thousands of individuals participated in widespread protests across Mexico on Saturday, sparked by the violent killing of Michoacán's anti-crime Mayor Carlos Manzo on November 1. The demonstrations were characterized as “Gen Z” protests, echoing global youth movements against systemic violence and corruption. In Mexico City, protesters chanted, "Carlos did not die; the government killed him," underscoring the perceived failures of government security policies, according to aljazeera, reuters, latimes, thejakartapost, and indiatimes.

The protests, though starting peacefully, escalated as hooded individuals clashed with police at the National Palace. Authorities confirmed that around 120 people were injured, including 100 police officers, with chaos erupting as some in the crowd attacked law enforcement with stones and fireworks. Pablo Vázquez, Mexico City's public safety chief, indicated that while the mobilization was initially orderly, it soon deteriorated into violence, according to aljazeera, reuters, latimes, thejakartapost, and indiatimes.

As the protests drew in support from diverse age groups, many older supporters of opposition parties joined the fray. Former President Vicente Fox and billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego publicly expressed their solidarity with the demonstrators, contrasting the distrust younger activists felt towards the political system. Critics, including President Sheinbaum, accused opposition parties of trying to manipulate the Gen Z movement for their advantage, claiming the protests were orchestrated partly by "bots" on social media, according to aljazeera, reuters, latimes, thejakartapost, and indiatimes.

The protests in Mexico also align with a broader trend observed globally wherein youths are mobilizing against systemic issues like inequality and governance failures. The emergence of the "Generation Z" banner signals a unified youth voice calling for change in the face of widespread corruption and violence, as echoed in protests worldwide from Nepal to Madagascar, pointing to a growing dissatisfaction with the political status quo, according to aljazeera, reuters, latimes, thejakartapost, and indiatimes.