US Embassy Issues Alert for 3rd Protest Over Gentrification in Mexico City

The U.S. Embassy warns Americans to avoid Mexico City's central corridor

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a security alert ahead of another anti-gentrification demonstration expected to begin at 2 p.m. today. The protest route stretches between the Juárez Hemicycle and the embassy building on Paseo de la Reforma Avenue.

The embassy warned that a previous demonstration occurred in the Roma and Condesa neighborhoods on July 4, and some in that group vandalized property and threw rocks at people perceived to be foreigners. Another protest took place July 20 in the Tlalpan area.

Physical attacks against people perceived as foreigners and acts of vandalism against private property marked the earlier demonstrations. Protesters smashed windows at businesses including a Starbucks and spray-painted messages like “Get out of Mexico” on damaged storefronts. At least one demonstrator wrote “Kill the Gringos” in black spray paint.

The targets of these marches are not allowed to act in kind. The embassy statement reminded Americans that Mexican law prohibits political activities by foreign citizens, and participation may result in detention or deportation.

Housing costs drive tensions

Anti-gentrification activists say thousands of people in the Mexican capital have been forced out of their homes in recent years as tourists and remote workers, many of whom are believed to be American, take over popular neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa.

Research shows housing accessibility decreased four-fold in Mexico City from 2005 to 2015. The Polanco district saw an eight-fold price increase from 2000 to 2018, while non-gentrified areas faced three-fold increases through 2022.

Since 2020, gentrification has been driven by digital nomads and short-term rental platforms like Airbnb. Mexico City currently has over 26,500 Airbnb listings concentrated in central neighborhoods.

Americans can stay in Mexico for up to 180 days (about six months) without a visa. Many earn U.S. salaries while living in areas where the average monthly wage is just 7,390 pesos ($385), according to official statistics.

Violence mars peaceful protests

While most participants demonstrated peacefully, masked protesters smashed through windows and looted high-end businesses in the touristic areas of Condesa and Roma. At least 15 businesses suffered damage during the July 4 protest.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum alleged that Friday’s protest was marked by xenophobia and condemned anti-immigration language used by some demonstrators.

Eduardo Alanis from the Anti-Gentrification Front pushed back against xenophobia claims. “The reason we’ve gathered here is precisely to hear the thoughts of many victims, mainly young people today for whom it’s almost impossible to live, to find housing”.

Government response emerges

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada announced a 14-point plan to address the capital’s housing and gentrification problems following the protests. The plan includes rent price regulation and measures to prevent displacement from short-term rental conversions.

The mayor said officials will work out an “objective and rigorous methodology” to regulate temporary housing rentals to prevent residents from being displaced and avoid “the loss of the community’s roots and identity”.

Pattern spreads beyond capital

The tensions reflect a broader pattern across Mexico. Yucatán faces similar gentrification pressures as foreign investment and tourism growth reshape communities from Mérida to coastal towns.

The anti-tourism movement echoes protests in European destinations like Barcelona, where local governments have announced restrictions on short-term rentals. Barcelona plans to eliminate licenses for over 10,000 short-term rental apartments by 2028.

At a recent Mexico City forum on gentrification, residents shared concerns about new rental restrictions. One person worried that limiting year-round property use would affect their ability to afford food and medical needs. Others defended tourism’s economic benefits while condemning protest violence.

“If you restrict my ability to use my habitat year-round, it’s restricting my food and medical needs,” one forum participant said.

The U.S. Embassy advised Americans in Mexico to monitor local media for updates and follow directions from authorities. For emergencies, citizens should call 911 or contact the embassy at (55) 8526-2561 from Mexico.

Travel advisory: U.S. citizens planning to visit Mexico City should check current State Department guidance and avoid areas with active demonstrations.