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(Bloomberg) — President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized a Gen Z march planned for Saturday in Mexico City, calling it a movement funded by right-wing politicians and business leaders who oppose her government.
The protest was being promoted on social media by 8 million bots operating from outside the country, he said during a daily press conference from Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday.
“We agree with freedom of speech and freedom of demonstration if young people have demands,” Sheinbaum said, “but the issue here is who is promoting the demonstration.” “People should know how this demonstration was organized so that no one has to use it.”
Other government officials named specific individuals: billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego, former President Vicente Fox and businessman Claudio X. Gonzalez is among the march’s major sponsors, according to an analysis produced by Infodemia, an official fact-checking agency tasked with combating “fake news” targeting the government.
Representatives for Salinas Pligo, Fox and Gonzalez did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Infodemia head Miguel Elorza said during the same press conference that leaders of the opposition PRI and PAN parties were also supporting the protests.
If successful, Mexico’s Gen
Youth-led protests are taking place around the world amid growing anger over inequality, unemployment and corruption, governments are falling and elites are being shaken.
In Mexico, organizers say Gen Zers plan to hold a peaceful protest against rising crime in the Zocalo, the capital’s main square. The movement gained momentum after Carlos Manzo, an influential mayor known for his tough stance against organized crime, was shot dead in Uruapan in the western state of Michoacan earlier this month.
Authorities blocked access to the National Palace in downtown Mexico City with metal barriers to prevent protesters from arriving on Saturday.
Gen Z activists are also mobilizing in Peru, where youth groups have demonstrated for weeks. Another protest is scheduled to take place there on Friday.
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