‘We want water, not poison’ - Guadalajara protests end in fires and vandalism
Key Takeaways
Thousands march in Guadalajara over unreliable supplies, foul Hooded individuals spray graffiti as fires and damage are reported at public buildings.
Jalisco's governor reports arrests linked to alleged arson and damage during the demonstration.
Thousands demand clean drinking water in Mexico's Guadalajara as protesters report foul-smelling supplies, while authorities blame separate groups for damage to government buildings.
"We want water, not poison" was among the messages carried by thousands of demonstrators who marched through Guadalajara, Mexico, on Sunday to demand access to clean and reliable drinking water.
The protest in Jalisco state highlighted growing concerns over water quality and supply, with residents describing days without running water and unpleasant smells from their household taps.
However, the demonstration was also marked by fires, graffiti and damage to public buildings, which authorities attributed to groups they said were not connected to the protesters.
Mauricio Castaneda, one of the demonstrators, described how unreliable water supplies had disrupted basic household activities.
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"It has really been very difficult; we have spent whole days without being able to do the washing-up, without being able to wash clothes; these are truly very difficult situations. When we try to bathe, the water really has this smell... I mean, lately it has eased a little, as if they have been chlorinating it, but even so it still has this pestilent odour lingering there," he said.
Other participants carried placards reading "Water is not a commodity", calling for improvements to the city's drinking water service.
Joshua Gomez, another resident, said he had noticed changes in the taste of the water supplied to his home, although it had not appeared visibly dirty.
"Thank God we have not had dirty water, but sometimes I end up drinking water that tastes odd," he explained.
As the demonstration continued, tensions developed around government buildings.
Hooded individuals were seen spraying graffiti on the Government Palace, while fires were also reported during the day.
Castaneda alleged that some groups had positioned themselves around the march and prevented protesters from advancing.
"Right now in this second demonstration we see there are groups ready for confrontation ahead and behind; they have not let us advance," he said.
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Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus described the protest as "a civic exercise" and said security arrangements had been adjusted to prevent confrontations.
According to Lemus, the demonstrators themselves rejected and removed groups attempting to provoke disturbances.
The governor alleged that approximately 300 people remained in the area and caused damage to public property, including broken windows and damaged security cameras.
He also reported that explosives and Molotov cocktails were thrown, while the doors of the Congress and Judicial Palace were attacked.
Lemus further announced that five people had been detained after allegedly travelling in a stolen pickup truck carrying jerrycans of petrol.
The governor said the suspects were believed to have participated in fires reported at the Congress and Judicial Palace during the second mobilisation demanding clean water in Guadalajara.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
