Over the past few months, Gen Z has organized several demonstrations in various countries across the globe: Nepal, France, Bulgaria, Madagascar.
One of the regions most affected by this wave of protests is undoubtedly Latin America, where young people are denouncing corrupt governments, organized crime, and numerous reforms that fail to address citizens’ needs.
Public discontent and the President facing impeachment: the case of Peru
On Friday, October 10th, 2025, Peru’s first female President, Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, was charged by Parliament, subjected to an impeachment process, and removed from office for “permanent moral incapacity.” The three years of her presidency had been marked by numerous scandals and a sharp rise in crime. Inevitably, this situation led to protests from the population—especially young people—who, starting in 2020, had already expressed their dissatisfaction with crime, the policies implemented by the President, the suspension of the Attorney General, and high-level corruption allegations involving cabinet ministers.
The main participants in these protests were members of Gen Z, who demonstrated against a law passed on September 5th that required young people to contribute to private pension funds, despite the country’s high rate of informal employment. In addition, the issue of organized crime remained a central concern during the demonstrations.
Boluarte was immediately replaced by the current President, 38-year-old José Jerí, a member of the center-right party “Somos Perú,” who will lead the country until the elections scheduled for April 2026. Recently, Jerí acknowledged the demands raised by Gen Z and stated that “The main enemy is outside, in the streets: criminal bands and gangs. We must declare war on them,” thus committing to fight the crime that is afflicting the country.
Following Peru’s example, Gen Z also took to the streets in Paraguay
In Paraguay as well, following the protests that took place in Peru, Gen Z called for demonstrations against the government under the slogan “Somos el 99.9%” (“We are the 99.9%”). Young Paraguayans took to the streets chanting slogans against corruption, the inefficiency of public services, and the lack of job opportunities. Protesters also carried images from the comic manga One Piece depicting a skull wearing a straw hat, which has been used in other countries (including Peru) as a symbol of resistance against oppression.
These protests were dispersed by police using pepper spray, but demonstrators responded by throwing stones, resulting in injuries.
Milei’s reform and the anger of Argentinians
Argentina has also witnessed numerous protests against the recent reform proposed by President Javier Milei, which includes a series of measures aligned with his austerity policies that, according to citizens, would undermine many workers’ rights. These measures include restrictions on the right to strike, greater ease in carrying out dismissals, an increase in working hours (from 8 to 12 hours), cuts to subsidies, and more.
According to the President’s allies, however, the implementation of these measures would increase investment and formal employment—considering that 40% of Argentine workers lack formal jobs—and would also reduce taxes for entrepreneurs.
Although the President managed to lower inflation from 150% to 32% in just two years, his policies have had negative repercussions on wages and employment. For this reason, at the end of February, workers from various sectors organized the largest strike since Milei became President, during which 90% of activities across the country came to a halt.
Youth outrage sparks protests in Mexico as well
A similar situation occurred in 52 Mexican cities, where Gen Z organized demonstrations triggered by the murder of Uruapan’s mayor, Carlos Manzo, on November 1st, 2025. Manzo had urged the government to take action against the organized crime present in the country. The event sparked anger among young people, who decided to take to the streets to protest not only against a corrupt, violent system that is unresponsive to citizens, but also against the worsening standard of living and rising unemployment.
In Mexico, Gen Z defines itself as a “civic, realist, and non-partisan” movement whose slogan is: “We are neither right nor left; we are the generation that is tired of bowing its head.”
Before beginning the march, the young members published a 12-point petition calling for greater democracy, security, and transparency, as well as better job opportunities and an improved quality of life for citizens. The demonstrations involved students, farmers, and members of opposition parties of all ages. Initially peaceful, the marches turned violent when they reached the Zócalo in the capital, where a group identified as the “black bloc” joined and struck the fences surrounding the National Palace with hammers, injuring 10 civilians and hundreds of police officers.
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