Large protests continue to rock countries around the world. Today, NewsForKids.net looks at a huge protest in Mexico over crime and corruption, and an even more massive protest against corruption in the Philippines.
Protests Against Crime and Corruption in Mexico
Last Saturday, people in over 50 cities across Mexico took part in large protests against the country’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum. The protesters are upset about crime and corruption. Some protesters wanted to remove Ms. Sheinbaum as president.
People of all ages took part, but the protests were mainly organized by younger people. The protesters are upset about how the country is being run. They say they are tired of the corruption and violence.
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Last Saturday, people in over 50 cities across Mexico took part in large protests against the country’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum. The protesters are upset about crime and corruption. The protests were mainly organized by younger people. Above, a protest in Guadalajara, Mexico on Saturday.
In Mexico, violence is a serious problem. Much of the violence is related to illegal drug gangs, known as “cartels”. These groups are heavily armed and have killed thousands of people. Many of the protesters believe the government isn’t doing enough to fight the cartels.
Recently, Carlos Manzo, a mayor who worked to fight the cartels, was killed. Many protesters honored Mr. Manzo by waving white flags or wearing cowboy hats.
The protests were mainly peaceful. But some protesters tried to tear down fences around the National Palace, where Ms. Sheinbaum lives. There was fighting between the police and the protesters. Over 100 police officers were hurt, and around 20 people were arrested.
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Many of the protesters believe the government isn’t doing enough to fight the cartels. Recently, Carlos Manzo, a mayor who worked to fight the cartels, was killed. Many protesters honored Mr. Manzo by waving white flags or wearing cowboy hats. Above, a protest in Guadalajara, Mexico on Saturday.
Despite the large protests, Ms. Sheinbaum is quite popular in Mexico. Ms. Sheinbaum’s government says the protests were arranged by her political opponents.
But it’s clear that many people also have concerns about the way the country is being run.
Protests Against Corruption in the Philippines
On Sunday, as many as 650,000 people took part in massive protests in the Philippines. They were upset about a government scandal involving money meant to help control flooding.
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On Sunday, as many as 650,000 people took part in massive protests in the Philippines. They were upset about a government scandal involving money meant to help control flooding. Above, a protest in Manila on Sunday organized by the Church of Christ.
The Philippines is an island nation that’s often hit by typhoons and heavy rains. Because of this, the government spends a lot of money on projects to control flooding. These projects are important for keeping people safe.
But in recent months, people have discovered a pattern of problems with flood control projects in the Philippines. Some projects weren’t finished, others were done poorly, and some were never built at all.
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The Philippines is an island nation that’s often hit by typhoons and heavy rains, which is why flood control projects are so important. Two typhoons this month have killed over 250 people in the country. Above, flooding in Cagayan province on November 11 after the most recent typhoon.
An investigation showed that some people in the government had taken bribes from the companies that were supposed to do the work.
The corruption scandal has upset many people in the country. There have been several large protests since September.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said that many of the people involved will be put in jail by Christmas. A special group set up by the president has already started legal action against 37 people.
(Source: [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons.)
Some of those accused work with the president. Others oppose him. Some people have criticized Mr. Marcos for his 2025 government spending plan, which included lots of money for flood control projects.
The protests on Sunday were led by a group called Church of Christ, which has about 320,000 members. This group often votes together and has lots of political power.