Sawt Falasteen - Mexico's Sheinbaum holds huge rally following major protests

"Let no one be mistaken," Sheinbaum told the huge crowd, many of whom had arrived by bus from across the country. "The vast majority of young people support the transformation" of public life in Mexico, she stressed.

Authorities said around 600,000 people gathered in Mexico City's Zocalo, the main square home to the National Palace where Sheinbaum lives and works. They chanted "You are not alone!" and "Claudia, listen, the people are in the fight!"

The killing of mayor Carlos Manzo in restive Michoacan state had sparked two days of demonstrations in November, with protesters setting fire to public buildings.

Weeks later thousands marched through the streets of Mexico City to protest drug violence and the government's security policies.

That was followed by the abrupt departure of the country's attorney general, Alejandro Gertz, in late November over reported disagreements with Sheinbaum's administration on crime policy.

At the rally Saturday, 24-year-old Jose Perez, a craftsman of Otomi descent, said he came out to support Sheinbaum because he feels Indigenous people "are more visible" under her government.

Sheinbaum took office in 2024 following the six-year tenure of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, with both leaders representing the left-wing Morena party.

Though Sheinbaum has earned high approval ratings in her first year, they dipped slightly in recent months -- from 74 percent in October to 71 percent in early December, according to the Polls MX survey summary.

- 'Reshape the narrative' -

Analysts told AFP the president faces scrutiny not only from her political opponents and members of the public, but from within her own party.

The rally is an "attempt at internal support, to reshape the narrative, to call for unity," said political analyst Pablo Majluf.

Political columnist Hernan Gomez Bruera told AFP that Sheinbaum is "an incredibly efficient president" who likes to be in control and demands a lot from her team. But she is also "very thin-skinned" and "has difficulty dealing with dissent," he added.

Sheinbaum's party has advocated for social justice through policies to aid the underprivileged, but prominent party members have been involved in overspending scandals.

Despite the recent slip in poll numbers, Mexico's first woman president is still benefiting from a decline in poverty levels that began under her predecessor.

"She has been very prudent" in her relationship with Trump, said Ana Laura Jacome, a 42-year-old housewife who attended Saturday's rally, using a cane to walk with fellow supporters.

Sheinbaum met with Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Washington on Friday to discuss trade on the sidelines of the draw for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by all three countries.

She said on X following the meeting that the three nations maintain a "very good relationship."

B.AbuZeid--SF-PST