Protests in Mexico City against a surge in tourism and rising prices escalated into violence on Friday night, resulting in damage to over a dozen businesses and drawing condemnation from officials.
The demonstration highlighted the frustrations of many residents who have experienced skyrocketing rents and the transformation of traditional neighborhoods into upscale developments, as the city has become a prominent tourist destination and a hub for digital nomads.
Initially peaceful, the protest saw hundreds marching through the streets with signs bearing messages such as, “Your new home is an invasion,” and “Expat = gentrifier.” However, it turned violent when a small group began vandalizing storefronts, including a Starbucks and a bank, and defacing walls in the affluent neighborhoods of Condesa and Roma.
According to Mexico City’s government secretary, César Cravioto, fifteen businesses were affected, and several cars were vandalized during the protests. He called for an end to violent demonstrations with “xenophobic” messages, emphasizing that Mexico City is a city of migrants and that the government does not support such actions.
Governor Carla Brugada acknowledged the challenges posed by gentrification and stated that her administration is working to enhance affordable housing. She expressed that Mexico City does not endorse gentrification, which can marginalize long-term residents.
Brugada also condemned the violence, asserting that the movement against gentrification should not serve as a justification for discrimination or xenophobia against migrants.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa have seen an influx of foreigners attracted by lower living costs and remote work opportunities. While this has benefited businesses in these areas, it has also made living in large parts of the city unaffordable for many locals, where the average monthly salary is approximately $370.
Some protesters have compared the influx of Americans and Europeans to a modern form of colonialism, with the grassroots group Frente Anti Gentrificación Mx calling for opposition to “American imperialism” in social media posts. They described gentrification as “a silent expulsion.”
This demonstration is part of a larger global movement against mass tourism, which has seen similar protests in increasingly unaffordable cities such as those in Italy, Portugal, and Spain.