What's happened
On July 5, 2025, protests in Mexico City escalated as demonstrators expressed anger over rising rents and the influx of American tourists. President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned xenophobic elements in the protests, which were sparked by years of gentrification and government policies favoring tourism. The unrest reflects broader tensions seen in cities worldwide.
What's behind the headline?
Key Issues Behind the Protests
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Gentrification and Displacement: The influx of foreign tourists and digital nomads has led to rising rents, pushing many locals out of their neighborhoods. Areas like Condesa and Roma have become increasingly unaffordable for residents.
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Government Policies: The agreement signed by President Sheinbaum in 2022 with Airbnb and UNESCO aimed to boost tourism but has been criticized for prioritizing foreign investment over local needs. This has fueled resentment among residents who feel neglected by their government.
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Xenophobia vs. Legitimate Grievances: While some protests displayed xenophobic sentiments, many organizers argue that the root cause is government inaction on housing issues. The Mexico City Anti-Gentrification Front emphasized that the problem lies with local policies rather than foreign nationals themselves.
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Global Context: Similar protests against mass tourism are occurring in European cities, indicating a growing global backlash against the impacts of tourism on local communities. This trend highlights the need for sustainable tourism practices that consider the welfare of residents.
Future Implications
The ongoing protests may lead to increased pressure on the government to implement stricter housing regulations and prioritize local residents in development projects. If left unaddressed, these tensions could escalate further, potentially resulting in more violent confrontations.
What the papers say
The Independent reported that President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the xenophobic displays during the protests, stating, "No one should be able to say 'any nationality get out of our country' even over a legitimate problem like gentrification." Meanwhile, AP News highlighted the violent turn of the protests, noting that demonstrators smashed windows and looted businesses, reflecting deep-seated frustrations over rising rents and government policies favoring tourism. The Independent also pointed out that the protests are part of a broader trend seen in cities worldwide, where locals are increasingly voicing their discontent against mass tourism and its effects on housing.
How we got here
The protests stem from a significant increase in American digital nomads moving to Mexico City since 2020, leading to soaring rents and displacement of locals. This situation was exacerbated by a 2022 agreement between the city government and Airbnb to promote tourism, igniting local frustrations over gentrification.
Go deeper
- What are the demands of the protesters?
- How has the government responded to the protests?
- What similar protests are happening globally?
More on these topics
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Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico and the most-populous city in North America. Mexico City is one of the most important cultural and financial centres in the world.
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Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea
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Condesa or La Condesa is an area in the Cuauhtémoc Borough of Mexico City, south of Zona Rosa and 4 to 5 km west of the Zócalo, the city's main square.
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The Romani, colloquially known as Roma, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, traditionally nomadic itinerants living mostly in Europe, and diaspora populations in the Americas.
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The Embassy of the United States of America in Mexico City is the diplomatic mission of United States of America to the United Mexican States. The embassy's chancery is situated on the Paseo de la Reforma, Colonia Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City. Ken Salazar...
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Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (born 24 June 1962) is a Mexican politician, energy and climate change scientist, and academic who is the 66th and current president of Mexico since 2024. She is the first woman and the first Jewish person to hold the office. A...
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Airbnb, Inc. is an American vacation rental online marketplace company based in San Francisco, California, United States. Airbnb offers arrangement for lodging, primarily homestays, or tourism experiences.