Background on the Mayors and Their Relevance
The current sexenio, under the leadership of Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, has seen a disturbing trend: ten mayors have been violently killed since its commencement. Among these tragic losses is Carlos Manzo Rodríguez, the mayor of Uruapan, Michoacán. His assassination on November 1, 2025, during the Día de Muertos celebrations, marks him as the tenth mayor to fall victim to violence during this period.
The Mayors and Their Circumstances
- Alejandro Arcos Catalán (Chilpancingo, Guerrero): Elected in late September 2024, he was killed just days later on October 6, 2024.
- Román Ruiz Bohórquez (Candelaria Loxicha, Oaxaca): Local reports indicate that the president municipal was attacked in his home and died on October 15, 2024.
- Jesús Franco Lárraga (Tancanhuitz, San Luis Potosí): A member of the Morena party, he was killed in December 2024.
- Mario Hernández García (Santiago Amoltepec, Oaxaca): The president municipal was ambushed and killed along with accompanying police officers in May 2025.
- Isaías Rojas Ramírez (Metlatónoc, Guerrero): The president municipal died after a failed assault attempt and receiving medical attention; his death was confirmed by authorities in June 2025.
- Yolanda Sánchez Figueroa (Cotija, Michoacán): Kidnapped in 2023 and later released, she was violently killed in the first days of June 2025.
- Salvador Bastida García (Tacámbaro, Michoacán): The president municipal was attacked and died from gunshot wounds on June 5, 2025.
- Acasio Flores Guerrero (Malinaltepec, Guerrero): Local press documented his killing after being detained and killed on July 21, 2025.
- Miguel Bahena Solórzano (Pisaflores, Hidalgo): The president municipal was killed on October 20, 2025; investigations have led to arrests.
- Carlos Manzo Rodríguez (Uruapan, Michoacán): Attacked during Día de Muertos celebrations and killed by gunshot wounds on November 1, 2025.
Sheinbaum Faces Questions Regarding Mayoral Assassinations
During the morning press conference on November 3, 2025, President Sheinbaum was questioned about the response to the assassination attempt on Carlos Manzo.
Sheinbaum condemned the cowardly and vile act and assured that “all the weight of the law” would be used in the investigation.
A journalist pressed her on potential connections between organized crime and the assassinations of political leaders, suggesting that criminal organizations might be targeting high-impact, media-grabbing homicides to increase political costs for the security cabinet’s achievements:
Las cifras ahí están, en su informe, entiendo que el último mes fue positivo en términos relativos en términos relativos de la reducción de inseguridad que se vive en el país, no obstante, noto que podría haber una apuesta distinta por parte del crimen organizado, una apuesta a homicidios de alto impacto mediático, ¿consideran que eso es algo que está sobre la mesa, que están intentando (el crimen organizado) apostarle a incrementar el costo político de los resultados que está dando el gabinete de seguridad?
— Periodista (@Periodista); November 3, 2025
Sheinbaum responded that these were mere speculations and not conducive to action in such cases. She emphasized prioritizing investigations and the information derived from them.
La especulación no ayuda, es la investigación de cada caso y el contexto. (…) Necesitamos en cada caso saber cuál fue el móvil (…) tiene que venir de conocimiento, de realidad, más que de una suposición.
— Claudia Sheinbaum (@ClaudiaSheinbaum) November 3, 2025
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the issue? Ten mayors have been violently killed since Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo took office, with Carlos Manzo Rodríguez being the latest victim.
- Who are these mayors? The list includes Alejandro Arcos Catalán, Román Ruiz Bohórquez, Jesús Franco Lárraga, Mario Hernández García, Isaías Rojas Ramírez, Yolanda Sánchez Figueroa, Salvador Bastida García, Acasio Flores Guerrero, Miguel Bahena Solórzano, and Carlos Manzo Rodríguez.
- Where did these assassinations take place? The mayors were killed in various locations across Mexico, including Guerrero, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosí, and Michoacán.
- What has Sheinbaum said about these assassinations? Sheinbaum condemned the killings and pledged to use “all the weight of the law” in investigations. She dismissed speculation about organized crime’s involvement, emphasizing the need for thorough investigations.
