Mexican President slams LA rioters for flying her country's flag

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has slammed Los Angeles rioters for proudly flying her country's flag while clashing with police, looting and burning cars. Sheinbaum singled out a photograph of a protester who was pictured standing on top of a burnt Waymo self-driving Jaguar waving the green, red and white flag with the Mexican coat of arms in the middle.

'We don't agree with violent actions, and I think even some of the photographs that came out—as I said the other day—are very likely a provocation. Very likely.' Sheinbaum said during a press conference at the National Palace on Wednesday. While the president acknowledged that she did not have all of the background on the photo, she said that the image was 'a very provocative photograph, to say the least.'

Flag-bearing protesters have been since June 7 after angered residents took to the streets to called out the administration of President Donald Trump over the series of raids led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents culminated with the arrests of undocumented immigrants. As the sun set and peaceful demonstrations turned violent, one man was snapped waving the Mexico flag while standing in front of a wrecked car that was sprayed with graffiti aimed at ICE.

Protests over the Trump-mandated immigration sweeps extended over the weekend with Waymo Jaguar I-PACE vehicles destroyed and torched. One photographer on the seen spotted a person waving the Mexican flag as the flames spread across the self-driving ride-hailing car. President Sheinbaum's remarks come as the nationwide rally, dubbed 'No Kings,' are scheduled to take place Saturday.

Protests will be held across 1,500 cities in 50 states on the same day President Trump celebrates his 79th birthday and holds a military parade in Washington, D.C. Sheinbaum urged demonstrators to remain calm and to steer clear from committing acts that may lead to their arrests. 'What we've always said: Always demonstrate peacefully here in Mexico, in the United States, anywhere in the world,' Sheinbaum said.

'We don't agree with violent actions. We've never agreed with them. They lead nowhere. Mexicans and everyone else, when demonstrating, it should always be peaceful.' Sheinbaum criticized the Trump administration's response to the immigration crisis earlier during the week following the unveiling a news hospital wings in the central city of Puebla.

'We disagree with this approach to the migration phenomenon," she said. 'It's not about raids or violence, but rather working on a comprehensive reform that takes into account the Mexicans on the other side of the border,' she added. 'That is our position, always a call for peace, to not exacerbate any form of violent protest.'

The president also lauded the contributions of Mexicans in the Los Angeles area. 'Mexicans living in the United States are good, honest men and women who left to seek a better life for themselves and to support their families,' she said. 'They are not criminals.' At least 48.6 percent of the city's population is Hispanic or Latino. At least 31 percent claim Mexican ancestry, according to U.S. Census Bureau data from July 2024.

'Los Angeles wouldn't be what it is if it weren't for the Mexicans who live there,' Sheinbaum continued. 'The United States is what it is thanks also to the work of our fellow Mexicans who live across the border.'