"Dozens of protesters gathered near the United States Embassy in Mexico City on Saturday to demand an immediate end to the war in the Middle East and international action. Footage shows demonstrators smashing pinatas of Trump and Netanyahu, burning an effigy of Baal, a Canaanite deity associated with paganism, and tearing US and Israeli flags, prompting officers from the Secretariat of Citizen Security to respond. "It is in solidarity with the Iranian people, in solidarity with Palestine, in solidarity with the disappeared women in Mexico," said protester Liz Marquez. She added, "Thousands of issues, like in Mexico, for example, drug trafficking, and they are all just excuses, and we are already tired of that. Right now, Palestine, Iran, Yemen and soon Mexico. That is what it is. What is expected has already happened in Venezuela, and always with the excuse that the people are oppressed, and that is not the case." Protesters also accused the United States and its allies of using war to divert attention from domestic political and social problems. "The United States is a failed state, with more international debt and with carnivorous projects like Epstein. There is no longer any doubt that they only want to create a response in the international environment. Domestic consumption. That is what they do to cover the disasters they have in their own politics," claimed Seyed Hamed, director of the Islamic Centre. Following incidents in the surrounding area, the United States Embassy in Mexico issued an alert warning citizens of possible vandalism and violence stemming from Saturday's demonstration and another scheduled for Sunday for International Women's Day. In the statement, the diplomatic mission advised its staff and citizens to exercise caution, avoid participating in protests and follow the instructions of Mexican authorities to ensure their safety. "