Mexican Mayor Carlos Manzo Assassinated During Day of the Dead Celebration
Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, Mexico, was fatally shot yesterday evening while presiding over a public Day of the Dead celebration, an attack that underscores the escalating violence targeting local officials in the country.
The 40-year-old Manzo was gunned down in Uruapan’s central square, a city of 300,000 in the western state of Michoacán, despite a security presence that included local police and 14 members of Mexico’s national guard. One suspected gunman was killed, and two others were arrested following the brazen attack, which was captured on video. Manzo had publicly acknowledged the risk of being targeted by organized crime, stating last month, “I don’t want to be just another murdered mayor,” but insisted it was important “not to let fear control us.”
Manzo gained prominence for his hardline stance against cartels, advocating for a forceful response – even suggesting criminals should be beaten or killed – a position that contrasted sharply with the current administration’s strategy. He frequently criticized President Claudia Sheinbaum’s approach to security, despite a recent decrease in homicides and an increase in drug seizures nationwide, as reported by the Reuters. “Hugs … are for Mexicans who live in extreme poverty,” Manzo once said. “Criminals, assassins … they deserve beatings and the full force of the Mexican state.” This incident adds to a growing list of attacks on local leaders, hindering efforts to establish rule of law in regions plagued by cartel activity. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau expressed condolences and pledged increased security cooperation with Mexico.
Uruapan, located in an important avocado-growing region, has been a hotspot for cartel violence, with battles for control of trafficking routes and profits. Mexican President Sheinbaum mourned Manzo’s death as an “irreparable loss,” while security consultant David Saucedo described the mayor as “brave but reckless,” noting the impossibility of defeating cartels at the municipal level without sufficient resources. Authorities are continuing their investigation and have vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
