Latest news with #MichelleCastro
New York Post
09-07-2025
- New York Post
Americans targeted in Mexico City as locals protest against tourism, soaring rents
As overtourism continues to be a liability for many vacation destinations and cities, a number of locals have been making their feelings known about unwanted visitors to their home areas. Residents in Mexico City protested against mass tourism over the weekend, with hundreds of people taking to the streets, The Associated Press (AP) reported. Advertisement Protesters marched in neighborhoods that are popular with tourists, as well as near the US Embassy and inside metro stations in a stand against gentrification of the popular destination. What began as a peaceful march then took a turn when a small group of people in masks began smashing storefronts, looting and harassing foreigners, AP reported. Popular areas such as Condesa and Roma were affected. Graffiti written on shattered glass from rocks read, 'Get out of Mexico,' AP reported. Advertisement 6 Activists fill the streets protesting tourists in Mexico City, Mexico, on July 4, 2025. 6 People take pictures of signs telling tourist to go home. Josue Perez/ZUMA / Other signs held by protesters read, among other messages, 'Gringos, stop stealing our home,' and 'Pay taxes, learn Spanish, respect my culture.' Protesters are demanding stricter housing laws and legislation to regulate tourism levels. Advertisement Many Americans took advantage of cheaper rent prices in Mexico during the coronavirus, escaping lockdowns in 2020 as 'digital nomads.' 6 Signs are posted to a wall of a Mexico Park a day after protesters marched against gentrification. AFP via Getty Images 6 A protester holds up a sign calling on 'Airbnb to leave' the area. REUTERS The number of Americans living in Mexico jumped 70% from 2019 to 2022. Advertisement It has continued to grow to a total of 1.6 million, according to the US State Department. Local college student Michelle Castro told AP she has watched the transformation of her 'working-class' community. 'There are a lot of foreigners, namely Americans, coming to live here. Many say it's xenophobia, but it's not,' said Castro. 6 A demonstrator shoots fire into the air during a protest against gentrification of Mexico City on July 4, 2025. Marco Gonzalez/Eyepix Group/Shutterstock 6 The number of Americans living in Mexico jumped 70% from 2019 to 2022. REUTERS She added, 'It's just that so many foreigners come here [and] rents are skyrocketing because of Airbnb. Rents are so high that some people can't even pay anymore.' Last month, people in Barcelona and on the Spanish island of Mallorca sprayed tourists with water guns in an attempt to 'cool down' tourism, Fox News Digital previously reported. Other cities have held their own tourism protests, with locals gathering in Venice, Italy, and Lisbon, Portugal. Advertisement Other international vacation destinations have implemented taxes in an effort to curb tourism, Fox News Digital previously reported. Greek officials, for example, are planning to impose a $22 tax on visitors cruising to Santorini or Mykonos. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Mexico for Mexicans': Hundreds protest against mass tourism; tourists harassed, windows smashed
Hundreds of people marched in Mexico City on Friday to protest the influx of foreign visitors, especially Americans. They blamed them for rising rents that are pushing locals out of their neighbourhoods and forcing them to move into poorer areas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The protest began peacefully in the capital's Roma and Condesa districts but turned violent when some masked demonstrators began smashing storefront windows, damaging restaurant furniture, and looting high-end businesses. Several protesters chanted slogans like 'Gringo go home,' 'Mexico for Mexicans,' and 'Pay taxes, learn Spanish, respect my culture' to express their frustration with tourists, urging them to leave the city. Graffiti was sprayed on shattered windows with messages such as 'Get out of Mexico,' and protesters held signs reading 'Gringos, stop stealing our home' and 'Housing is a right, not a commodity.' Demonstrators are demanding local legislation to regulate tourism and enforce stricter housing laws. The march later moved to the US Embassy, where protesters continued chanting as police reinforcements arrived. Demonstrations also continued inside the city's metro system. Mexico City's government secretary, César Cravioto, condemned the violence and described the protest as 'xenophobic expressions,' similar to what Mexican migrants have faced abroad. He reported that 15 businesses and public facilities were damaged during the protest. He called for dialogue instead of violence, saying, 'We are a city of open arms… there are always ways to negotiate, to sit at the table.' Local anger and resentment have been rising since 2020, when many Americans flocked to the Latin American city to escape Covid-19 lockdowns and take advantage of lower living costs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Since then, rents in many neighbourhoods have soared, forcing numerous Mexican residents to relocate to more affordable areas. Michelle Castro, a 19-year-old student who joined the protest, said her working-class neighbourhood has seen apartment buildings converted into tourist housing. 'Many say it's xenophobia, but it's not. So many foreigners come here, rents are skyrocketing because of Airbnb. Some people can't even pay anymore,' she explained. The protest in Mexico City is part of a broader global backlash against mass tourism and rising housing costs, with similar demonstrations taking place in European cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Paris and Rome.
NBC News
05-07-2025
- NBC News
Protests against surging mass tourism in Mexico City end in vandalism, harassment of tourists
MEXICO CITY — A protest by hundreds against gentrification and mass tourism that began peacefully Friday in Mexico City neighborhoods popular with tourists turned violent when a small number of people began smashing storefronts and harassing foreigners. Masked protesters smashed through the windows and looted high-end businesses in the touristic areas of Condesa and Roma, and screamed at tourists in the area. Graffiti on glass shattered glass being smashed through with rocks read: 'get out of Mexico.' Protesters held signs reading 'gringos, stop stealing our home' and demanding local legislation to better regulate tourism levels and stricter housing laws. Marchers then continued on to protest outside the U.S. Embassy and chanted inside the city's metro system. Police reinforcements gathered outside the Embassy building as police sirens rung out in the city center Friday evening. It marked a violent end to a more peaceful march throughout the day calling out against masses of mostly American tourists who have flooded into Mexico's capital in recent years. Tension had been mounting in the city since U.S. 'digital nomads' flocked to Mexico City in 2020, many to escape coronavirus lockdowns in the U.S. or to take advantage of cheaper rent prices in the Latin American city. Since then, rents have soared and locals have increasingly gotten pushed out of their neighborhoods, particularly areas like Condesa and Roma, lush areas packed with coffee shops and restaurants. Michelle Castro, a 19-year-old college student, was among the flocks of people protesting. She said that she's from the city's working class city center, and that she's watched slowly as apartment buildings have been turned into housing for tourists. 'Mexico City is going through a transformation,' she said. 'There are a lot of foreigners, namely Americans, coming to live here. Many say it's xenophobia, but it's not. It's just that so many foreigners come here, rents are skyrocketing because of Airbnb. Rents are so high that some people can't even pay anymore.' The Mexico City protest follows others in European cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Paris and Rome against mass tourism.
West Australian
05-07-2025
- West Australian
Anti-tourism protest in Mexico City turns violent
A protest against mass tourism that began peacefully in Mexico City neighbourhoods popular with tourists turned violent when a small number of people began smashing storefronts and harassing foreigners. Masked protesters smashed through the windows and looted high-end businesses on Friday in the touristic areas of Condesa and Roma, and screamed at tourists in the area. Graffiti on glass shattered glass being smashed through with rocks read: "Get out of Mexico". Protesters held signs reading "gringos, stop stealing our home" and demanding local legislation to better regulate tourism levels and stricter housing laws. Marchers then continued on to protest outside the US Embassy and chanted inside the city's metro system. Police reinforcements gathered outside the embassy building as police sirens rung out in the city centre on Friday evening. It marked a violent end to a more peaceful march throughout the day calling out against masses of mostly American tourists who have flooded into Mexico's capital in recent years. Tension had been mounting in the city since US "digital nomads" flocked to Mexico City in 2020, many to escape coronavirus lockdowns in the US or to take advantage of cheaper rent prices in the Latin American city. Since then, rents have soared and locals have increasingly gotten pushed out of their neighbourhoods, particularly areas like Condesa and Roma, lush areas packed with coffee shops and restaurants. Michelle Castro, a 19-year-old college student, was among the flocks of people protesting. She said that she's from the city's working class city centre, and that she's watched slowly as apartment buildings have been turned into housing for tourists. "Mexico City is going through a transformation," she said. "There are a lot of foreigners, namely Americans, coming to live here. Many say it's xenophobia, but it's not. It's just that so many foreigners come here, rents are skyrocketing because of Airbnb. Rents are so high that some people can't even pay anymore." The Mexico City protest follows others in European cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Paris and Rome against mass tourism.
The Advertiser
05-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Anti-tourism protest in Mexico City turns violent
A protest against mass tourism that began peacefully in Mexico City neighbourhoods popular with tourists turned violent when a small number of people began smashing storefronts and harassing foreigners. Masked protesters smashed through the windows and looted high-end businesses on Friday in the touristic areas of Condesa and Roma, and screamed at tourists in the area. Graffiti on glass shattered glass being smashed through with rocks read: "Get out of Mexico". Protesters held signs reading "gringos, stop stealing our home" and demanding local legislation to better regulate tourism levels and stricter housing laws. Marchers then continued on to protest outside the US Embassy and chanted inside the city's metro system. Police reinforcements gathered outside the embassy building as police sirens rung out in the city centre on Friday evening. It marked a violent end to a more peaceful march throughout the day calling out against masses of mostly American tourists who have flooded into Mexico's capital in recent years. Tension had been mounting in the city since US "digital nomads" flocked to Mexico City in 2020, many to escape coronavirus lockdowns in the US or to take advantage of cheaper rent prices in the Latin American city. Since then, rents have soared and locals have increasingly gotten pushed out of their neighbourhoods, particularly areas like Condesa and Roma, lush areas packed with coffee shops and restaurants. Michelle Castro, a 19-year-old college student, was among the flocks of people protesting. She said that she's from the city's working class city centre, and that she's watched slowly as apartment buildings have been turned into housing for tourists. "Mexico City is going through a transformation," she said. "There are a lot of foreigners, namely Americans, coming to live here. Many say it's xenophobia, but it's not. It's just that so many foreigners come here, rents are skyrocketing because of Airbnb. Rents are so high that some people can't even pay anymore." The Mexico City protest follows others in European cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Paris and Rome against mass tourism. A protest against mass tourism that began peacefully in Mexico City neighbourhoods popular with tourists turned violent when a small number of people began smashing storefronts and harassing foreigners. Masked protesters smashed through the windows and looted high-end businesses on Friday in the touristic areas of Condesa and Roma, and screamed at tourists in the area. Graffiti on glass shattered glass being smashed through with rocks read: "Get out of Mexico". Protesters held signs reading "gringos, stop stealing our home" and demanding local legislation to better regulate tourism levels and stricter housing laws. Marchers then continued on to protest outside the US Embassy and chanted inside the city's metro system. Police reinforcements gathered outside the embassy building as police sirens rung out in the city centre on Friday evening. It marked a violent end to a more peaceful march throughout the day calling out against masses of mostly American tourists who have flooded into Mexico's capital in recent years. Tension had been mounting in the city since US "digital nomads" flocked to Mexico City in 2020, many to escape coronavirus lockdowns in the US or to take advantage of cheaper rent prices in the Latin American city. Since then, rents have soared and locals have increasingly gotten pushed out of their neighbourhoods, particularly areas like Condesa and Roma, lush areas packed with coffee shops and restaurants. Michelle Castro, a 19-year-old college student, was among the flocks of people protesting. She said that she's from the city's working class city centre, and that she's watched slowly as apartment buildings have been turned into housing for tourists. "Mexico City is going through a transformation," she said. "There are a lot of foreigners, namely Americans, coming to live here. Many say it's xenophobia, but it's not. It's just that so many foreigners come here, rents are skyrocketing because of Airbnb. Rents are so high that some people can't even pay anymore." The Mexico City protest follows others in European cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Paris and Rome against mass tourism. A protest against mass tourism that began peacefully in Mexico City neighbourhoods popular with tourists turned violent when a small number of people began smashing storefronts and harassing foreigners. Masked protesters smashed through the windows and looted high-end businesses on Friday in the touristic areas of Condesa and Roma, and screamed at tourists in the area. Graffiti on glass shattered glass being smashed through with rocks read: "Get out of Mexico". Protesters held signs reading "gringos, stop stealing our home" and demanding local legislation to better regulate tourism levels and stricter housing laws. Marchers then continued on to protest outside the US Embassy and chanted inside the city's metro system. Police reinforcements gathered outside the embassy building as police sirens rung out in the city centre on Friday evening. It marked a violent end to a more peaceful march throughout the day calling out against masses of mostly American tourists who have flooded into Mexico's capital in recent years. Tension had been mounting in the city since US "digital nomads" flocked to Mexico City in 2020, many to escape coronavirus lockdowns in the US or to take advantage of cheaper rent prices in the Latin American city. Since then, rents have soared and locals have increasingly gotten pushed out of their neighbourhoods, particularly areas like Condesa and Roma, lush areas packed with coffee shops and restaurants. Michelle Castro, a 19-year-old college student, was among the flocks of people protesting. She said that she's from the city's working class city centre, and that she's watched slowly as apartment buildings have been turned into housing for tourists. "Mexico City is going through a transformation," she said. "There are a lot of foreigners, namely Americans, coming to live here. Many say it's xenophobia, but it's not. It's just that so many foreigners come here, rents are skyrocketing because of Airbnb. Rents are so high that some people can't even pay anymore." The Mexico City protest follows others in European cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Paris and Rome against mass tourism. A protest against mass tourism that began peacefully in Mexico City neighbourhoods popular with tourists turned violent when a small number of people began smashing storefronts and harassing foreigners. Masked protesters smashed through the windows and looted high-end businesses on Friday in the touristic areas of Condesa and Roma, and screamed at tourists in the area. Graffiti on glass shattered glass being smashed through with rocks read: "Get out of Mexico". Protesters held signs reading "gringos, stop stealing our home" and demanding local legislation to better regulate tourism levels and stricter housing laws. Marchers then continued on to protest outside the US Embassy and chanted inside the city's metro system. Police reinforcements gathered outside the embassy building as police sirens rung out in the city centre on Friday evening. It marked a violent end to a more peaceful march throughout the day calling out against masses of mostly American tourists who have flooded into Mexico's capital in recent years. Tension had been mounting in the city since US "digital nomads" flocked to Mexico City in 2020, many to escape coronavirus lockdowns in the US or to take advantage of cheaper rent prices in the Latin American city. Since then, rents have soared and locals have increasingly gotten pushed out of their neighbourhoods, particularly areas like Condesa and Roma, lush areas packed with coffee shops and restaurants. Michelle Castro, a 19-year-old college student, was among the flocks of people protesting. She said that she's from the city's working class city centre, and that she's watched slowly as apartment buildings have been turned into housing for tourists. "Mexico City is going through a transformation," she said. "There are a lot of foreigners, namely Americans, coming to live here. Many say it's xenophobia, but it's not. It's just that so many foreigners come here, rents are skyrocketing because of Airbnb. Rents are so high that some people can't even pay anymore." The Mexico City protest follows others in European cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Paris and Rome against mass tourism.
