Protests/Demonstrations in Mexico
 

I've decided to post this thread to keep visitors abreast of what's going on in CDMX regarding the major demonstrations over the city the last several weeks.

The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) has been demonstrating in CDMX for at least 3 weeks now for a new contract. Initially, the government authorized their stay on the Zócalo, probably thinking things would work out.

But they have taken over not only the Zócalo, but the side streets and even main walking corridors in the city. And everyday they demonstrate.

They have closed down roads, interstate lanes, metro and metro buses and even the airport. Today they shut down two metro bus line routes again.

If you are visiting Mexico City soon, expect to see this spectacle. Any major updates, I'll post them in this thread.

Current live video:

https://www.youtube.com/live/t6gnTZ2DwaQ?feature=shared

(Several photos and videos)
https://x.com/5antaMerlina/status/1929051146213081405?t=9lG1MAXFR3fnTX_NzMU1Jg&s=19

CNTE has become violent as of yesterday and they even stole one of the government vehicles and sprayed painted their logo on it. I would recommend all visitors to stay away from the areas they are occupying.

https://x.com/Reforma/status/1930350624840769730

https://x.com/JCWilliams54/status/1930400882409021830

Today another demonstration at the Buenavista Metro and Train/Bus station. There will be road blocks and transportation disruptions. Lots of hotels in this area that tourists use. Not sure where they are marching to.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...24cc4fb1a9.jpg

The situation seems to be growing worse. In addition to blocking roads today, the CNTE started fires inside and outside of a government building. I think anyone staying near a government facility should be extra cautious. Also, all these protesters are professors and teachers believe it or not. They are demanding a 100% pay increase.

This is a Government Bank they are destroying today:


Be careful where you travel in CDMX. These teachers don't have to be back to school until the autumn. Until the local mayor does something this will continue. I have to say CDMX security has been falling again since they have the new mayor. Two of her top government officials were assassinated in broad daylight a few weeks ago. That's the highest criminal act that has occur in the city for years. And now all this current wave of violence makes you wonder. I just can't see this getting any better anytime soon.

Edit: Some teachers from Oaxaca are leaving CDMX to go back for their upcoming semester. So, many will be gone soon.

Edit #2: The entirety of CNTE is leaving CDMX today, but their leaders stated that they will return with more force. They were in CDMX for 24 days.

UPDATE: The CNTE organization is now in the Yucatán.

"Hundreds of teachers from the National Coordination of Education Workers (CNTE) have escalated their protest movement in Yucatán this week, taking over the Chichén Itzá archaeological site on Wednesday and staging a demonstration at the Maya Train station in Valladolid on Thursday"
-Mexico News Daily

Wish we had checked FT Mexico thread. We just returned after 5 days of visit to CDMX. We saw lots of demonstrations in many parts of the city. However, we were lucky that we had not seen any violence. The worst was the closure of Reformer close to my hotel. One afternoon, after enjoying some coffee and cake at Masion Keyser, it started heavy rain. Called an Uber. Hotel was 1,5 miles away, Due to rain & road closure, the journey took 35 minutes.
CDMX is a fine city. We were able to lunch at Contramar with reservation made 1 day in advance. Enjoyed that experience and the food.
Thank you for posting.

Merida, a small city in the Yucatan that doesn't see many protests, was chosen by these demonstrators who have taken it over now, including demonstrating at the airport and the new Mayan bus station.

Protests/Demonstrations in Mexico City
 

I've been debating about starting a thread on the opposition to gentrification in Mexico City. But the protests initially were non-violent a few years ago, and now they are becoming more violent and if you are a foreigner, especially from the USA be careful where you choose your accommodations. Hotels will be safer, but just like Barcelona, they don't want foreigners in CDMX. Many of the local people can barely get by now and their cost of living has almost doubled in some cases.

Here's a video of what just happened yesterday. It will only get worse. I moved from CDMX two weeks ago because of this. The people don't treat foreigners the same. Maybe some people do, but it's very noticeable if you have lived here for some time. It's really sad it has come down to this.

Just pay attention and watch your back. They are good for doing things behind your back. If you run across any issues please post them in this thread to help other visitors avoid certain areas or situations. If you can't see the first video, just click the youtube link to open it.

There are plans to take their movement to other cities including Merida and San Miguel de Allende. Once it spreads across the majority of Mexico, I'll be leaving this country for good. I don't want to be anywhere that I'm a target. They attacked innocent bystanders yesterday too. Things don't help with the turmoil at the border and deportation laws in the USA. Any additional protests or demonstrations, I'll post them here.

Thanks so much for these updates, Global Adventurer, I appreciate it !! I'm hoping that Quintana Roo doesn't get affected by these protests, as my husband & I are there 3x a year & we often rent vehicles & drive ourselves.

No problem at all. If the Mexican government doesn't appease this group and others they will certainly be in Quintana Roo too. It's on their list too from what I've been reading on social media. Hopefully, your upcoming visits will be uneventful.

Darn, we were just there in May and were welcomed. I was planning an extended stay revisit later in the year. Maybe not now.

Which area did you stay? Like I mentioned in a previous post further up, try to stay away from Condesa, Roma Norte and that general area. Those are the most targeted areas. Try to stay in an actual hotel. There's people walking around simply spraying paint or squirting water on visitors. What they are doing in Barcelona is what they are doing in CDMX but Barcelona isn't as bad yet. I'm glad I left CDMX when I did. I will only go back to catch a connecting flight. I could feel things getting worse and didn't trust anyone I ran across. I dealt with lots of businesses that didn't want my business. I got up and left. The average person will not confront you, they hate confrontations, it's what they do behind your back. I don't trust even ordering food and have it spit in, etc. Seriously. They smile in your face 👀. Hopefully you don't run into these people. If they take this to Cancun and Tulum, which is on their list too believe it or not. They're just shooting themselves in the foot. But I would avoid those popular neighborhoods just in case, because if you look like a foreigner you are a target, unfortunately. I was CDMX's #1 fan, but not anymore 😞

I just want to add, that all of this is compounded by foreigners (from the USA) posting their dislikes about the city all over the social media and more recently a woman from Argentina belittling a CDMX police officer, and more. Tempers are flaring.

And lastly, the President of Mexico just stated today, that "any man or woman that comes to Mexico must respect the Mexican people" and specifically mentioned the woman from Argentina.

We stayed on Avenida de la Reforma at the Marriott. But we wandered around Roma Norte quite a bit. The people were so nice and friendly.
Plan was an AirBnB or small hotel in Condesa area, so seems like waiting might be a good idea. Because the thought was to spend time just wandering around absorbing the day to day life.