The third march against gentrification made its way through the streets of Mexico City amid scuffles and heavy police presence on Saturday (July 26).

The marchers decided not to head to the U.S. embassy, as originally planned, as the protest sparked the presence of dozens of elements of Mexico City's security forces

"In the U.S. embassy there are, besides police, a lot of national guard, a lot of army. That's why we stopped marching towards the embassy," said a representative of the Front for Youth Housing (FVJ) who asked to not be identified.

In recent days, calls against gentrification have been growing with protesters highlighting the struggles faced by locals due to soaring rents and neighbourhood transformations.

The influx of U.S. migrants in districts like Colonia Condesa, has exacerbated gentrification issues, prompting calls for legal migration and contributions from them.

Affluent foreigners, particularly Americans, are increasingly working remotely in Mexico City due to its lower cost of living compared to most American cities. This trend has sparked backlash because many Americans can stay in Mexico for up to 180 days without a visa, often choosing to leave only when they reach this six-month limit.

Following the first massive march on July 16, the city’s government launched a plan to combat the displacement of residents and local business by those with higher purchasing power and rising rents.

Among the 14 measures announced was a “reasonable rental index” the government will issue to combat rising housing prices and a ban of rents rising above inflation. The government will also create an ombudsman office for tenants’ rights.

Housing rights organizations such as the FVJ have described the plan as insufficient in the face of the housing crisis.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (JULY 26, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. POLICE, PROTESTERS SCUFFLING DURING MARCH

2. PROTESTERS IN FRONT OF POLICE

3. POLICE GATHERING

4. PROTESTERS SHOUTING SLOGANS, HOLDING BANNER DURING MARCH

5. PROTESTER SHOUTING SLOGAN (Spanish): "It's not progress, it's dispossession"

6. PROTESTERS SHOUTING SLOGAN (Spanish) "We want housing, we don't give a shit about the World Cup"

7. PROTESTER CARRYING SIGN READING (Spanish) "Airbnb out before the one who has to leave is you"

8. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING, SHOUTING SLOGANS AND WAVING PALESTINIAN FLAGS

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FRONT FOR YOUTH HOUSING, WHO ASKED TO NOT BE IDENTIFIED BY NAME, SAYING:

“We don't want in any way that this beautiful group that we see here, that the people who are fighting, be repressed by these bastards. Even less if we know that in the U.S. embassy there are, besides police, a lot of national guard, a lot of army. That's why we stopped marching towards the embassy, but let it be known very clearly that we categorically reject any type of interference or intervention on the part of any foreign power over our country, we are a sovereign country and that's how we should stay.”

10. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING FLANKED BY POLICE