Mexico Braces for Nationwide Gen Z March as Government Alleges Paid Disinformation Campaign

Social-media call for Gen Z march spreads to more than 50 cities

A social-media appeal for a Generation Z march planned for Saturday has gained traction across Mexico, with organizers urging demonstrations in more than 50 cities. Informal coordinators in Mexico City have named the Angel of Independence as the meeting point for a march toward the Zócalo, the capital’s central square.

Supporters frame the mobilization as a youth-led protest against rising insecurity, corruption and impunity. Many of the posts driving the effort focus on public outrage after the killing of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, using viral videos, hashtags and rapid messaging on platforms such as X.

Government alleges coordinated digital campaign

Federal authorities, however, argue the demonstration is not entirely spontaneous. President Claudia Sheinbaum said the call appears amplified by a paid digital campaign aimed at discrediting her administration and that a recent report points to disinformation networks, automated accounts and opposition political and business actors as key amplifiers.

The administration has claimed the online campaign behind the mobilization cost about $5.3 million, funds allegedly used to boost content with bots and other coordinated tactics. At a press briefing, Miguel Ángel Elorza, coordinator of Infodemia Mx, said many of the accounts promoting the protest were recently created or reactivated after long periods of inactivity and that some operate from abroad. He added these profiles have been linked to earlier disinformation efforts and that the narrative of a purely spontaneous youth call "does not match the patterns detected in the analysis."

Sheinbaum said her government will guarantee the right to protest but asked for clarity on who is behind the mobilization to avoid young people being "used."

The administration has named opposition figures and business actors, including former President Vicente Fox, among those it says helped amplify the campaign digitally. The origin of the initial call remains unclear, and different users have promoted alternate versions of the movement under the same name.

Security measures and next steps

Authorities say they will continue investigating the campaign's digital origins while safeguarding citizens' right to demonstrate. Security has been reinforced in the Historic Center of Mexico City, and major civic buildings have been fenced off in anticipation of the planned march.

Observers note the situation blends genuine civic anger over violence with concerns about possible manipulation by organized online actors. The coming days may clarify whether the mobilization remains a grassroots youth movement or a more coordinated operation amplified by outside interests.