by the El Reportero staff
A second major protest in Guadalajara drew approximately 10,000 people demanding clean water, but the largely peaceful demonstration turned violent after masked individuals allegedly infiltrated the march, vandalizing businesses and attacking the Jalisco state Congress building.
The protest, held Sunday, followed weeks of growing frustration over contaminated water in the Guadalajara metropolitan area. Demonstrators demanded government accountability and solutions to the unresolved crisis.
Masked individuals reportedly hurled Molotov cocktails at Congress, prompting authorities to deploy riot police and emergency personnel to extinguish flames and protect legislators and government employees.
Protesters insisted the vandals were outsiders attempting to discredit their movement. Some accused provocateurs linked to the ruling Citizens’ Movement party (MC), while others suspected involvement by Morena, the national governing party. Neither allegation has been substantiated.
According to La Jornada, demonstrators expelled at least 30 masked individuals before the march began, confiscating firecrackers, clubs and Molotov cocktails. Organizers delayed the demonstration by two hours to prevent further infiltration.
Nevertheless, masked groups followed protesters through Guadalajara’s Historic Center, damaging storefronts, breaking windows and looting businesses.
State officials reported damage to at least six commercial establishments, five arrests and eight people requiring medical attention.
By early afternoon, thousands of peaceful demonstrators filled Plaza de Armas, chanting “Resign, Lemus” and demanding a recall referendum against Governor Pablo Lemus, who assumed office in December 2024.
The demonstration followed another massive protest a week earlier, when police used pepper spray and high-pressure water hoses against crowds. Dozens were reportedly injured or arrested.
Lemus subsequently apologized for the excessive police response, ordered an investigation and released detained protesters.
Unlike the previous demonstration, Sunday’s march initially encountered minimal police presence until violence erupted near Congress.
The growing unrest reflects mounting public dissatisfaction with authorities’ handling of water contamination, an issue affecting residents throughout Guadalajara’s metropolitan region.
Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, a Guadalajara native, publicly expressed solidarity with protesters during an appearance Sunday at the Morelia International Film Festival.
Despite the violence, demonstrators maintained that their central demand remains unchanged: access to safe, clean water and meaningful government action.
Sources: Mexico News Daily, La Jornada, Reporte Índigo and UDG-TV.
