Mexico City pledges to curb gentrification amid protests.
Mexico City tackles gentrification — new strategy unveiled
Hundreds of residents gathered on Wednesday to protest the rising rents that they blame on foreign visitors, sparking a motion that will be presented by Mayor Clara Brugada as an urgent response to the city’s warming gentrification crisis.
What the protests accuse — the ‘digital nomad’ effect
The demonstration, which turned violent earlier this month, saw a Starbucks coffee shop vandalized as protesters wore signs that read “Gringo go home” and demanded that foreigners “pay taxes and respect Mexican culture”. They point to the surge of remote workers, or digital nomads, that rose post‑Covid as a driver of inflated rents.
Mayor Brugada’s proposed counter‑measure — the “fair rent” law
- Legal limitation on rent increases — law would enforce the rule that landlords may not hike rents more than inflation.
- “Fair, reasonable, and affordable rent” law — new regulation — envisioned to stabilize prices, preventing displacement.
- Short‑term‑rent regulation — strengthening rules for platforms such as Airbnb.
- Public housing priority — government will work to construct affordable units in central areas.
Press reaction — the question of xenophobia
President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned what she called “xenophobic” behavior at the rally but backed the protest’s motive while rejecting calls for foreigners to leave the city.
