Global Risk Outlook 2026

Mexico Stability: Anti-Expat Sentiment and Urban Security Risks

Why Anti-Expat Protests Are Growing in Mexico – and What They Mean for Urban Security

Anti-expat protests in Mexico are becoming more frequent – and more targeted. The influx of remote workers, rising rents, and growing resentment towards US influence have triggered a wave of demonstrations in key cities.

With housing pressures intensifying and bilateral relations under strain, gentrification-linked unrest is emerging as a relevant risk factor for urban stability, business continuity, and diplomatic relations across Mexico in 2026.

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Why Are Anti-Expat Protests Rising in Mexico?

Protests across Mexico City’s Roma and Condesa neighbourhoods have grown since mid-2025, with slogans, vandalism, and targeted attacks aimed at businesses linked to expatriates and Americans. Organisers blame foreign residents for rising housing costs and cultural displacement – concerns that echo wider anti-tourism movements seen in Europe.

The number of US nationals living or working in Mexico has grown by roughly 70% since 2020, with over 1.5 million Americans now estimated to be in the country. In Roma and Condesa, rent has increased by 80% since 2021 – more than double the national average.

What Are the Urban Security Risks Linked to Anti-Expat Sentiment?

The risk of wider unrest is rising. Organised protest groups are gaining momentum, and conditions seen in Mexico City are emerging in other hubs like Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Tijuana. In some areas, 30–40% of property purchases are now by foreign buyers.

Cost-of-living pressures, US–Mexico tensions, and the scale of gentrification could drive convergence between anti-expat and broader economic protests. Businesses linked to expat markets — and located in tourist or gentrified zones — may face elevated reputational and physical risk in 2026.

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