Hundreds of taxi drivers marched through Mexico City chanting "Uber Out!" and demanding city authorities ban the online ride service.
Some drove their pink-and-white cabs in ranks, snarling traffic along the city's main boulevard.
The drivers say that Uber and other ride-sharing services evade the tax, registration and safety laws that regular cabs are subject to.
Taxi drivers' leader Eleazar Romero told the rally that "we are not against technology. We just want a level playing field, we want everyone to follow the same tax rules we do." Uber responded on its blog by offering Mexico City commuters free rides today, with hashtag that roughly translates as "If Mexico won't stop, Uber won't stop."
It said commuters could take up to two rides worth 150 pesos for free.
