On the night of May 30, 2025, the iconic Multiforo Alicia in Mexico City's Cuauhtémoc borough became the center of a cultural and political storm when a concert by Basque musician Fermín Muguruza was abruptly interrupted and forcibly evacuated by a combined force of local police, the Mexican Army, and the Guardia Nacional. The operation, which unfolded amid claims of insufficient permits and alleged overcrowding, has since sparked widespread condemnation, official investigations, and debates over cultural rights and government accountability.
The event, attended by over 400 people, was progressing peacefully when officials from the Secretariat of Citizen Security and alleged members of the Army and federal forces stormed the venue, demanding the concert be halted immediately. Ignacio Pineda, a member of the Multiforo Alicia collective, recounted how an inspector from the Cuauhtémoc borough initially arrived around 5 p.m. to inquire about the nature of the space and requested documentation. Despite presenting the venue's license as "cultural space number one of Mexico City," the inspector reportedly claimed ignorance of this accreditation and insisted on closing the venue for failing to submit a Civil Protection plan at least ten days prior.
Hours later, the police chief of the Santa María la Ribera sector appeared with a convoy of the Guardia Nacional, surrounding the venue and blocking all entrances and exits. Pineda described the scene as tense but orderly, with the organizer allowed to inform attendees and request a peaceful evacuation. Importantly, no violent confrontations occurred, and the mostly middle-aged audience maintained calm throughout. However, the presence of armed personnel wielding long firearms created a palpable atmosphere of intimidation and unease.
Fermín Muguruza, known for his decades-long activism and outspoken support for freedom of expression, expressed deep concern over the operation. On social media, he questioned, "Army with long weapons to cancel a concert?" and warned that "a massacre could have occurred." His reaction highlighted the gravity of deploying armed forces against a cultural event, underscoring fears of excessive force and repression.
The Multiforo Alicia itself holds a storied place in Mexico City's cultural landscape. Recognized as the premier independent rock venue for over 30 years, it has nurtured countless national and international artists, including the celebrated French musician Manú Chao. After a forced closure in 2023, the venue reopened in 2024 at a new location, legally acknowledged as Mexico City's first independent cultural space. This status underscores its symbolic importance as a bastion of artistic freedom and community expression.
In the aftermath, the official responses have been swift but marked by a notable distancing from responsibility. Clara Brugada, Mexico City's Head of Government, unequivocally disavowed the actions leading to the concert's cancellation and ordered an internal investigation. She instructed Secretary of Citizen Security Pablo Vázquez to identify and sanction those responsible, confirming that commanders in charge of the Santa María la Ribera police sector had been relieved of their duties. Brugada emphasized that her administration does not validate such interventions and reaffirmed the fundamental right to culture, pledging continued support for independent cultural spaces like Multiforo Alicia, which she described as a "symbol of cultural resistance in the capital."
Similarly, Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, mayor of Cuauhtémoc, where the venue is located, lamented the censorship of artistic expression and clarified that her office neither authorized nor was informed of the operation. She stressed that the borough lacks authority over federal security forces and reiterated her commitment to defending culture and freedom of expression. Her Director General of Security and Civil Protection, Lilian ChapaKoloffon, also confirmed no involvement in the operation, highlighting the importance of rational use of force and the absence of citizen complaints or information justifying police presence.
At the federal level, Secretary of Interior Rosa Icela Rodríguez condemned the operation as "unjustifiable" and announced an investigation to determine who requested the deployment of police and armed forces at the independent cultural venue. Rodríguez recalled that the space was handed over to the cultural collective by former Mexico City Head of Government Claudia Sheinbaum, underscoring the government's historical support for such spaces. She pledged sanctions against those responsible, reinforcing the message that culture is a right, not a luxury.
The Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) of Mexico City has formalized an internal inquiry through its General Directorate of Internal Affairs to clarify the police's role in the eviction. Secretary Pablo Vázquez Camacho emphasized the SSC's respect for cultural and recreational events as vital expressions of free thought and exchange. The SSC plans to coordinate with other government departments and cultural venue owners to foster dialogue and establish clear protocols to prevent similar incidents, aiming to balance public safety with cultural freedom.
Despite these official statements, the incident has ignited broader debates about the relationship between authorities and independent cultural spaces in Mexico City. Critics argue that the deployment of armed forces to a peaceful concert reflects a troubling pattern of intimidation and suppression of alternative voices. Ignacio Pineda voiced suspicion that the operation was a deliberate provocation intended to incite arrests and violence, stating, "They wanted detainees, they wanted violence, they wanted the sensational news." He called for full transparency and respect for cultural rights, underscoring that "culture is a right, not a luxury. Respect the cultural rights of this city. Multiforo Alicia, no to provocation!"
The incident has also drawn attention to the delicate balance between regulatory compliance and cultural autonomy. Authorities cited the lack of a Civil Protection plan submitted in advance as the official reason for the venue's closure. However, organizers and supporters maintain that they had the necessary permits and that the sudden enforcement was disproportionate and politically motivated.
As of early June 2025, investigations continue at multiple levels. The public and cultural communities remain vigilant, watching how authorities address the incident and whether lessons will be learned to safeguard the vibrant, diverse cultural life that spaces like Multiforo Alicia represent. The episode serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions between governance, security, and the fundamental human right to culture and expression in one of Latin America's most dynamic capitals.
