Table Stakes - November 17th

Good morning everyone,

I’m Atlas, and welcome to Table Stakes!

Here’s a look at today’s topics:

• Riots In Mexico City Over President Sheinbaum’s Inaction Towards Cartels

• Corruption Scandal Causes Mass Protest In Manila

• Venezuela Braces Against Increased U.S. Presence

Riots In Mexico City Over President Sheinbaum’s Inaction Towards Cartels

_{By: Atlas}

Demonstrations in Mexico City over cartel violence turned into hours of confrontations near the National Palace after protesters accused President Claudia Sheinbaum of failing to act decisively against criminal cartel groups.

Crowds began gathering late afternoon in the Zócalo, carrying banners that referenced recent killings and disappearances in several states. Organizers framed the march around public safety and impunity, saying the federal government’s current approach had not reduced high-impact crime.

City officials said most of the event remained peaceful until a segment of the crowd advanced on temporary fencing along the palace perimeter. That movement coincided with the arrival of smaller groups carrying protective gear and makeshift tools.

How the confrontations unfolded

Tensions rose as demonstrators pressed against steel barricades on the Palacio Nacional side of the square. Video from the scene showed people pulling at fence panels and throwing objects toward police lines. Officers in protective equipment repositioned into tighter formations at the access points to the complex.

Short bursts of pushing and projectiles escalated into wider scuffles as additional protesters converged on the same chokepoints. Police used shields to hold the line and attempted to separate confrontational groups from the larger crowd. Medics working with civil society groups provided first aid for minor injuries and eye irritation.

As evening approached, officers deployed tear gas to clear the immediate area around the palace gates. The square partially emptied, then refilled as groups regrouped at adjacent streets, where police re-established cordons to keep marchers from re-entering the restricted zone.

Arrests, injuries, and the official account

The Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana reported detentions for alleged assaults on officers, damage to public property, and possession of prohibited items. Detainees were transferred to local agencies for processing and review by the city prosecutor’s office. Authorities said administrative citations were also issued for disorderly conduct and related violations.

Police reported officers with contusions and lacerations consistent with thrown objects. First responders treated protesters for gas exposure and minor wounds sustained in crowd surges. As of late evening, officials characterized injuries on both sides as non-life-threatening, with several people sent to hospitals for evaluation.

In a briefing after midnight, the city’s public safety leadership outlined the sequence that led to the use of tear gas: attempts to breach fencing, sustained strikes on police shields, and efforts to pull officers out of formation. Officials said the priority was preventing an incursion into the government complex while allowing the broader demonstration to proceed elsewhere in the square.

Political context and competing messages

Demonstrators cited a string of high-profile attacks—including killings of local officials outside the capital—as evidence that organized crime retains freedom of movement. March organizers said their focus was federal policy, arguing that current deployments and intelligence programs have not produced visible gains in communities most affected by extortion, kidnappings, and clashes between rival groups.

The federal government has emphasized a mix of operations against priority targets, seizures of weapons and narcotics, and coordination with state authorities. Officials point to arrests and interdictions as indicators of progress and say investigations rely on longer timelines than public protests acknowledge. The president’s team reiterated that security policy includes both enforcement and prevention programs and that the armed forces remain central to national strategy.

Opposition lawmakers called for congressional hearings on the government’s security posture and on protest policing practices. Human rights organizations announced hotlines to collect testimony and video, saying they will submit documented cases to oversight bodies. City authorities responded that any use of force will be reviewed under internal protocols, and that findings—if any—will be referred to the appropriate offices.

What to watch next

Authorities said a consolidated tally of arrests, charges, and property damage would be released after reports from all precincts are reconciled. Internal affairs opened a standard review of the operation, including body-camera footage, tactical orders, and medical records. The city’s human rights commission said observers were present and will publish conclusions after interviews.

Organizers signaled more demonstrations if the federal government does not announce new measures against organized crime. They outlined demands that include targeted deployments in regions with elevated homicide rates, protection schemes for municipal officials, and public benchmarks for evaluating operations.

Operationally, Mexico City re-opened streets around the Zócalo by morning, with cleanup crews removing debris and reinstalling damaged fencing. Public transit resumed normal routes after overnight detours. Businesses in the historic center re-opened under an increased police presence, and access to the palace perimeter remained restricted.

Factually, the picture is as follows: a large demonstration over cartel violence reached the National Palace perimeter; clashes began when groups attempted to dismantle barricades; police used tear gas and made arrests; injuries to officers and protesters were reported as non-life-threatening; and both the federal government and city authorities defended their actions while promising after-action reviews. The political dispute—whether current federal strategy is adequate against organized crime—remains unresolved and is likely to drive further mobilization and legislative scrutiny in the days ahead..

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