At least 120 individuals, including 100 police officers, were hurt in conflicts during anti-government protests in Mexico City, according to authorities.

Thousands of people marched in Mexico City on Saturday to protest violent crime and President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration.

Sheinbaum said that the marches, which took occurred in other cities, were funded by right-wing politicians opposed to her government.

The rally was organized by Gen Z youth groups, and it drew support from locals condemning high-profile assassinations, including the execution of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, who had urged for severe action against cartels only weeks before.

Demonstrators demolished portions of a barrier that protects the National Palace, where Sheinbaum lives. Police guarding the complex fired tear gas at the throng.

Mexico City security chief Pablo Vazquez announced that 20 persons had been arrested for crimes such as robbery and violence.

Protesters hoisted placards reading “We are all Carlos Manzo,” while others wore cowboy hats in honor of him.

Days before the march, the president claimed that bots were promoting it online.

“We agree with freedom of expression and freedom of demonstration if there are young people who have demands, but the issue here is who is promoting the demonstration,” she told reporters at the briefing.

“People should know how this demonstration was organised so that no one is used.”

Sheinbaum retains approval ratings above 70% in her first year in office, and has made in-roads in clamping down on fentanyl-trafficking – a key issue for her US counterpart, Donald Trump.

But she has been chastised for failing to put an end to the bloodshed that is engulfing the country, and she is facing greater enmity from neighboring countries.

Earlier last month, Peru’s Congress voted to proclaim Sheinbaum a persona non grata, or unwelcome in the country.