Protests turn ugly in Mexico City

People carry banners and flags as they wait for protesters marching to demand more information about the missing students of the Ayotzinapa Teachers' Training College 'Raul Isidro Burgos' at Zocalo Square in Mexico City November 9, 2014. Protesters marched 180 km (112 miles) from Iguala and arrived at the capital on Sunday. The 43 missing students abducted by corrupt police in southwest Mexico six weeks ago were apparently incinerated by drug gang henchmen and their remains tipped in a garbage dump and a river, the government said on Friday. [Photo/Agencies]

Protesters angry at the apparent massacre of 43 students tried to break into Mexico City's National Palace late on Saturday while others torched several trucks in the south of the country.

Thousands of people marched in the capital in the latest demonstration over a case that has repulsed the nation and triggered the biggest crisis of President Enrique Pena Nieto's administration.

The violent protests came a day after authorities said suspected gang hit men confessed to killing the 43 students and incinerating their bodies in the southern state of Guerrero.

A small group of protesters used metal barricades as battering rams in an attempt to break open the National Palace door.

They briefly set the door on fire and spray-painted the words "We want them back alive" on the 16th-century building.

Pena Nieto uses the palace for ceremonies but he lives in the Los Pinos residence in another part of the capital.

Protesters loudly counted from one to 43 and held candles during the evening march. Some chanted "Pena Nieto out!" and "The people don't want you!"

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