The mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, was assassinated during a Day of the Dead festival on the evening of November 3, 2023. While attending the vibrant celebrations, he was shot shortly after being filmed interacting with attendees and wishing them a pleasant evening. Witnesses reported that the festive atmosphere quickly turned chaotic, with people fleeing as the mayor fell to the ground, bleeding.
Manzo had been a vocal opponent of organized crime, often seen wearing a bulletproof vest due to threats against his life. His assassination underscores the ongoing violence in the western Mexican state of Michoacán, where drug cartels vie for control over lucrative smuggling routes. According to the security ministry, authorities have identified three suspects in connection with the shooting, with two already arrested and one deceased.
In response to the attack, President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the “vile” act and emphasized the need for justice. She stated her commitment to deploying all state resources to ensure peace and security, aiming for “zero impunity.” In her post on X, she reiterated the government’s resolve to combat organized crime effectively.
Manzo’s widow, Grecia Quiroz García, delivered an emotional tribute during a memorial service, describing her husband as the “best president of Mexico.” She expressed her belief that he was targeted for his honesty and courage in speaking out against corruption and crime. “They didn’t kill the president of Uruapan, they killed the best president of Mexico,” she stated, highlighting her husband’s fearless approach to governance.
The mayor had previously voiced concerns regarding his safety, particularly in light of the rising number of attacks on public officials. In a September interview, he questioned how many mayors had been murdered for resisting entanglements with organized crime.
The funeral for Manzo was marked by tensions, as mourners expressed their anger towards Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla, the Michoacán governor and a member of Sheinbaum’s governing party. Attendees heckled the governor, reflecting widespread frustration with the government’s handling of security issues. Actor Victor Trujillo also weighed in on social media, urging Sheinbaum to heed the voices of the people, stating, “It’s good and wise people” who are expressing their discontent.
Internationally, Christopher Landau, the US ambassador to Mexico, extended condolences to Manzo’s family. He reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to enhancing security cooperation with Mexico to combat organized crime across the border. Landau remarked, “On this All Souls’ Day, my thoughts are with the family and friends of Carlos Manzo.”
The assassination of Carlos Manzo highlights the pervasive violence faced by public officials in Mexico and raises urgent questions about the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to address organized crime in the region. As the investigation unfolds, the local community continues to grapple with the ramifications of this tragic event.
