Local artists, activists, and residents of Mexico City’s La Juárez district are taking a stand against gentrification. They are out there fighting relocation, revitalization and cultural disappearance. Erika Aguilar’s family, after 45 years of renting an apartment in the area, recently found themselves forced to vacate their home due to a sale by the building’s owners to a real estate development company. The new owners’ plan is to convert the entire property into luxury apartments. These units will be used for short and medium-term rentals, as is increasingly the case across the district.
In the last 10 years, La Juárez has experienced more than 4,000 acts of forced displacement, according to activist Sergio González. The reality on the ground is that the neighborhood is quickly changing and longtime residents are up in arms. They feel newcomers, particularly from the US, are trampling on local customs and exacerbating the crisis of displacement. Many newcomers are criticized for not learning Spanish or contributing to local taxes, actions that further alienate them from the community.
The change in La Juárez is perhaps most evident in its dining scene. Menus come with English translations, and hotter hot sauce options are being introduced to cater to foreign palates. This shift has deepened the chasm between longtime and new residents. It has unified and galvanized a growing movement to demand that all action taken protect the cultural integrity of the neighborhood.
Thankfully, Mexico City’s mayor, Clara Brugada, has quickly positioned herself to quell the fast-rising unrest. She released a detailed 14-point plan on stabilizing rent costs and protecting lifelong residents. The plan includes a long overdue focus on making more affordable, social housing available across the city. Even with these efforts in place, a majority of locals remain doubtful that anything like this will actually be enough to rein in accelerating gentrification.
Unfortunately, Aguilar’s family has moved to a nearby state, almost two hours from central Mexico City by public transportation. She reflects on her family’s situation, saying, “If I had the means to live better elsewhere, I’d probably do it too.” Yet, she acknowledges the economic benefits tourism brings to Mexico, stating, “and tourism has been good for Mexico; it’s a source of income.”
Artist, educator, and cultural ambassador Richard Alsobrooks moved to Mexico City with his wife Alexis, after trading in their lives in Portland, Oregon. To him, addressing gentrification requires going beyond the superficial band-aids. He adds that the affordability of residing in Mexico in general is a huge attraction for most American expats. “You need to have a good job in the US, and obviously the dollar goes a lot further here,” Alexis adds.
The influx of American expatriates has inspired some heady comparisons. Critics argue that while they seek better living conditions in Mexico, they contribute to the erosion of local culture and community ties. Sergio González emphasizes the importance of preserving community identity, referring to gentrification as “losing the right of centrality, with everything that entails.”
In response, demonstrations against gentrification have taken on various notable forms across Mexico City. Protests eventually led to a massive demonstration and march on July 4, US Independence Day. Recent protests have seen scenes of chaos and disorder, including masked anarchists facing off with police. President Claudia Sheinbaum decried the attacks as “xenophobic.” She drove home the point that while legitimate worries about gentrification should not lead to anger directed at immigrants.
“No matter how legitimate the cause, as is the case with gentrification, the demand cannot be to simply say ‘Get out!’ to people of other nationalities inside our country.” – President Claudia Sheinbaum
Critics of Sheinbaum’s administration warn against her policies. They contend that these measures have largely failed to address gentrification so far and have resulted in an accelerating arrival of foreign settlers. One unnamed critic remarked that her actions seem like “closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.”
Amidst this backdrop of tension and division, Alsobrooks expresses a desire for newcomers to integrate respectfully into their new communities. “If you treat those around you with respect and try to be part of the community, that goes a lot further than trying to make somewhere your own,” he asserts.
As gentrification continues to reshape La Juárez district and other parts of Mexico City, the conversation around displacement and cultural preservation remains urgent. The challenge lies in balancing economic growth through tourism with maintaining the rich cultural heritage that defines neighborhoods like La Juárez.