The mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, was assassinated during a Day of the Dead festival on the evening of October 28, 2023. Manzo was attending the vibrant celebration with his young son when he was shot, moments after greeting festival-goers while wearing a traditional sombrero. Disturbing footage captured the chaos that ensued, as attendees fled the scene in terror, leaving the mayor bleeding on the ground.
Manzo was known for his staunch opposition to organized crime and often donned a bulletproof vest during public appearances. The security ministry reported that three suspects were identified in connection with the assassination, with two arrested and one deceased.
In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the “vile” act and vowed to pursue justice. She stated on social media platform X, “We reaffirm our commitment to deploy all the State’s efforts to achieve peace and security with zero impunity and full justice.”
The mayor had previously expressed concerns for his safety and had called on the government to intensify efforts against organized crime. In a September interview, he questioned, “How many mayors haven’t they killed because they opposed making these pacts with organized crime?”
Manzo’s assassination has resonated deeply within the community. His wife, Grecia Quiroz García, delivered a heartfelt address, asserting that he “dared to speak the truth.” She declared, “They didn’t kill the president of Uruapan; they killed the best president of Mexico. The only one who dared always to speak the truth, without fear for his family or for leaving his children orphaned.”
The region of Michoacán, where Uruapan is located, has gained notoriety for its violent crime, particularly as drug cartels vie for control over lucrative smuggling routes. The tensions surrounding Manzo’s assassination were palpable at his funeral, where mourners expressed anger towards Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla, the Michoacán governor and a member of Sheinbaum’s governing party. Mourners heckled the governor, reflecting widespread frustration with the government’s handling of security issues.
Actor Victor Trujillo also voiced his concerns, urging President Sheinbaum to listen to the frustrations of ordinary citizens. He noted on social media, “Look and listen, Claudia. It’s not the hypocritical conservatives who are throwing out your governor from Mayor Carlos Manzo’s funeral. It’s good and wise people.”
The assassination has drawn international attention, with Christopher Landau, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, reaffirming his country’s commitment to combating organized crime. He expressed condolences, stating, “On this All Souls’ Day, my thoughts are with the family and friends of Carlos Manzo, mayor of Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico, who was assassinated at a public Day of the Dead celebration last night.” Landau added that the U.S. is prepared to enhance security cooperation with Mexico in efforts to eradicate organized crime on both sides of the border.
The tragic events surrounding Carlos Manzo’s assassination highlight the ongoing struggle against organized crime in Mexico, a challenge that continues to affect the lives of many public officials and citizens alike.
