Mexico: Protesters crash truck through National Palace's door

A group protesting over the disappearance of 43 students from Ayotzinapa in 2014 tries to force their way into the National Palace to protest against the government's lack of results in investigating the case, in Mexico City, Mexico, March 6, 2024.

A group protesting the disappearance of 43 students in Mexico in 2014 forcefully entered the country's presidential palace, as shown in videos from local television stations on Wednesday morning.

The protesters used a white pickup truck from Mexico's state electrical company to ram down the door, according to the footage, while President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was holding his daily morning press conference inside.

Law enforcement at the scene deployed tear gas to disperse the group, and barriers were erected within the palace to prevent further penetration by the protesters.

A group protesting over the disappearance of 43 students from Ayotzinapa in 2014 tries to force their way into the National Palace to protest against the government's lack of results in investigating the case, in Mexico City, Mexico, March 6, 2024.

By midmorning, calm had returned to the scene, with the palace door secured and no protesters inside, as reported by a Reuters witness. However, more than 100 protesters remained camped outside the palace. Some individuals involved in breaking down the door were reportedly arrested, according to local media.

During the press conference, Lopez Obrador addressed the incident, stating that he would not suppress the protest and reaffirmed the government's commitment to investigating the case of the missing students, one of Mexico's most infamous violent incidents.

"The door will be fixed, and there will be no problem," assured the president, who also mentioned that the protesters would have a meeting with government officials.