Background on the Key Figures and Their Relevance
Miguel Elorza, the coordinator of Infodemia and host of “The Lie Detector” section, recently presented an analysis on the digital promotion of the so-called “Generation Z March,” scheduled for November 15. Claudia Sheinbaum, the federal government’s head, asserted that this youth mobilization is being digitally driven by networks linked to the opposition and international right-wing groups.
Among those mentioned are:
- Ricardo Salinas Pliego: President of Grupo Salinas, who shared influencer Carlos Bello’s criticism of the federal government on social media.
- Carlos Bello: An influencer who, until then, had not been involved in political matters, participated in a forum at the Chamber of Deputies criticizing the federal government.
- Claudio X. González: An entrepreneur who promoted the “Save Democracy” campaign linked to the Generation Z Instagram profile.
- Vicente Fox: Former President of Mexico and an opposition figure supporting the movement.
- Atlas Network: An international organization led by Roberto Salinas León, cousin of Ricardo Salinas Pliego, which has been accused of financing disinformation campaigns against progressive governments worldwide.
The Origins and Growth of the Digital Campaign
According to Infodemia’s tracking, the movement started on October 3 when Azteca Noticias published a report linking Mexican youth protests to a global movement. Simultaneously, Carlos Bello participated in a forum at the Chamber of Deputies criticizing the federal government.
Ricardo Salinas Pliego then shared Bello’s intervention on social media with a critical message. Soon after, Bello announced that he was organizing a march without specifying the cause or date.
On October 15, the X account @generacionz_mx shared an image with the One Piece anime flag—used in international protests—and the message “we demand change.” Since then, they have replicated content on Instagram and TikTok, some generated by AI, focusing on promoting the revocation of mandate.
The Instagram profile @somosgeneracionmx included a link to Claudio X. González’s “Save Democracy” campaign.
Expansion in Social Media
Elorza reported that the mobilization was amplified by a network of 179 TikTok accounts and 359 Facebook communities, many created between October and November. At least 28 Facebook pages have foreign administrators.
On October 21, Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, the Cuauhtémoc mayor, invited Bello to her podcast, where they both criticized the federal government. The same day, @somosgeneracionxmx conducted a live stream to promote the march with support from PAN-affiliated users.
Between October 16 and 26, these accounts spread messages about the revocation of mandate. However, after Carlos Manzo’s assassination on November 1 during Día de Muertos celebrations, they shifted their discourse to demand justice for the mayor and peace in the country.
Shift in Direction After Carlos Manzo’s Assassination
The assassination of Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo on the night of November 1, during Día de Muertos celebrations, caused a significant shift in the discourse of the self-named Generation Z movement.
Initially, the November 15 mobilization was promoted on social media as a protest for “revocation of mandate” and dissatisfaction with the federal government. After Manzo’s murder, linked accounts began focusing their messages on demanding justice for the mayor and calling for peace and security in the country.
This change in narrative coincided with an internal reconfiguration of the movement. On November 1, Iván Mero Perro, administrator of the original Generation Z server, denied any relation to the X account following opposition figures and dismissed the November 15 march call.
The following day, he published a tribute video for Carlos Manzo and began promoting a new mobilization on November 8. By November 10, he announced that Generation Z networks would change administrations, indicating internal friction between original promoters and new organizers.
Politicians and Entrepreneurs Involved
Infodemia’s report also highlights support for the march from opposition figures like former President Vicente Fox, entrepreneur Claudio X. González, and his organization Sociedad Civil México, along with legislators and PRI/PAN spokespersons.
Regarding Ricardo Salinas Pliego, the analysis suggests he has amplified the movement’s messages on social media. However, there is no confirmed evidence that he finances or leads the mobilization, though he has been mentioned in publications by opposition-affiliated influencers and commentators.
Involvement of Atlas Network and International Right-Wing
Elorza also mentioned Atlas Network’s indirect participation, led by Roberto Salinas León, Ricardo Salinas Pliego’s cousin.
Atlas Network, which groups over 500 think tanks globally, has been accused of financing disinformation campaigns or “lawfare” against progressive governments worldwide. In Mexico, it was linked to “smear campaigns against the 4T” in 2024.
The March Continues Despite Concerns
The November 15 march gained strength as a memorial for Carlos Manzo rather than a political protest. Organizers insist it’s an apolitical, youth-led movement inspired by international movements and citizens’ frustration with violence.
However, President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed doubts about its origins, suggesting some accounts promoting the protest may have political motivations and be manipulated by the right.
Sheinbaum urged young people not to be swayed by political interests and to verify who’s behind the calls for mobilization. She stated that, according to official estimates, at least 90 million pesos have been allocated for financing bots and fake accounts promoting a “violent” mobilization in social media.
