Guadalajara unrest over water crisis intensifies as presumed infiltrators provoke violence

A second major march in a week drew some 10,000 people protesting the unresolved issue of contaminated water in the Guadalajara metropolitan area, but alleged infiltrators turned the otherwise peaceful demonstration violent.

Incidents of vandalism and looting occurred along the route of the march in downtown Guadalajara, which culminated with Molotov cocktails being hurled at the state Congress building.

State police officers, riot squads and emergency personnel were immediately deployed to the area to extinguish the flames, prevent protesters from forcibly entering the government building and ensure the safety of the administrative staff and legislators present.

Participants insisted the vandals were not part of the protest group, some speculating they were agitators sent by the Citizens’ Movement party (MC) — the dominant political group in the state — to discredit the demonstration. Others suggested the provocateurs were sponsored by the nationally dominant Morena party in an effort to weaken the MC ahead of next year’s elections.

The newspaper La Jornada reported that citizens themselves drove out a group of at least 30 masked individuals before the march began, while also confiscating firecrackers, clubs and Molotov cocktails.

The protest started two hours later than planned as organizers sought to remove those identified as potential instigators.

Even so, a masked group of people trailed the march through the Historic Center, hurling firecrackers, looting shops and spray-painting buildings.

“At least six restaurants, department stores and sporting goods stores were damaged by acts of vandalism, graffiti, broken windows and looting,” the state government reported later Sunday. 

The government also reported five arrests, adding that another eight people required medical attention. 

By 2 p.m., the peaceful protesters had filled the Plaza de Armas, making the march one of the largest on record since Governor Pablo Lemus came to power in December 2024.

While banners demanding clean water fluttered in the breeze, cries of “Resign, Lemus” and chants for a recall referendum filled the square.

By then, the agitators had begun hurling rocks and explosives at the Congress building about three blocks away.

Sunday’s protest took place a week after the first mass demonstration was met with repressive tactics by state authorities who pepper-sprayed demonstrators and turned high-pressure fire hoses on the crowds. Dozens were beaten and arrested.

Governor Lemus subsequently apologized for the heavy-handed tactics, released those who had been detained and ordered an investigation. 

This time around, there was minimal police presence until the violence began.

Later Sunday, Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, a native of Guadalajara, declared his support for the protesters during his appearance at the Morelia International Film Festival.