Citizens demand justice as outspoken anti-crime advocate is gunned down in Michoacan; President Sheinbaum vows full investigation

A wave of grief and anger has swept through the Mexican state of Michoacan after the assassination of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, during a popular Day of the Dead festival. The tragic shooting has sparked widespread demands for justice amid increasing tensions over organised crime in the region.

Carlos Manzo, a 40-year-old politician known for his strong public stance against criminal cartels, was shot multiple times on Saturday night in Uruapan’s historic centre while surrounded by festival-goers. Despite urgent medical attention, Manzo later died in hospital due to his injuries. A city council member and one of his bodyguards were also injured in the attack.

Public Outcry and Mourning in Uruapan

The following day, hundreds of Uruapan residents, many dressed in black, gathered to mourn during an emotional funeral procession. Their chants—“Justice! Justice! Out with Morena!”—reflected a deep sense of frustration not only with the violence but with the perceived inaction by the ruling political party.

Images from the scene showed families and supporters embracing in tears, as the community came to terms with a loss that resonated far beyond the city limits.

Mayor Targeted for Anti-Cartel Stance

Carlos Manzo, who took office in September 2024, had been a vocal critic of organised crime, calling openly for federal support to combat cartels in Michoacan—especially as violence connected to the lucrative avocado trade escalated.

Uruapan, often referred to as the “avocado capital of Mexico,” has become a battleground for powerful criminal groups seeking control of the billion-dollar industry. Manzo frequently warned that politicians and journalists in Michoacan were being silenced by violence.

“I don’t want to be just another mayor on the list of those executed,” he said in a televised interview just two months before his death. His fears, tragically, came to pass.

Investigation and Security Promises

Federal authorities quickly responded to the attack. Federal Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch confirmed that the attacker, who fired seven shots at Manzo, was killed on site by security personnel. The weapon used was linked to previous clashes between rival criminal factions.

President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the killing on social media, calling it a “vile assassination” and vowed that the government would deliver “zero impunity and full justice.”

An emergency security cabinet meeting was held on Sunday morning, where officials reaffirmed their commitment to investigating all possible motives and criminal networks involved.

A Wider Pattern of Violence

Manzo’s killing is not an isolated incident. Michoacan and other regions of Mexico have seen a troubling rise in the assassinations of public figures, including mayors and journalists, in recent years. The murder of Tacambaro mayor Salvador Bastidas earlier this year, also in Michoacan, and the shooting of journalist Mauricio Cruz Solis in 2024 after interviewing Manzo, point to a pattern targeting those who oppose cartel influence.

Even with police and National Guard officers assigned to his protection, Manzo had been forced to wear a bulletproof vest while attending public events.

International Response and Appeal for Security

The killing also drew swift international condemnation. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau shared condolences on social media and offered increased cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico to address organised crime threats.

“The US stands ready to deepen security cooperation,” he wrote, echoing concerns about border security and cartel violence.

As Uruapan continues to grieve, the calls for justice and true security reforms grow louder, turning Manzo’s death into a powerful symbol of the urgent need to confront Mexico’s organised crime crisis.