Background and Relevance of Carlos Manzo
Carlos Manzo Rodríguez, the mayor of Uruapan, Mexico, was tragically assassinated on November 1, 2025. Uruapan, under Manzo’s leadership since September 2024, is a significant exporter of avocados and limes, industries that have faced extortion from criminal organizations for years.
Manzo’s assassination has brought attention to the ongoing violence and crime in Michoacán, where groups like the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and La Nueva Familia Michoacana have been active. This has resulted in conflicts, murders of agricultural leaders, and the emergence of self-defense groups.
Chronology of Events
- Attack Details: According to the Michoacán Fiscalía, the assault occurred around 8:10 PM when Carlos Manzo was shot following a public Day of the Dead event in Uruapan’s city center.
- Medical Response: Manzo was immediately transported to Hospital Fray Juan de San Miguel, where he succumbed to his gunshot wounds at 8:50 PM.
- Apprehension and Evidence: One of the assailants was gunned down at the scene, and a short-barreled 9mm firearm with seven spent cartridges was recovered. The deceased assailant lacked identification, and the process of forensic identification is ongoing.
- Injured Regidor: Víctor Hugo de la Cruz Saucedo, a council member, was also injured but is reported to be out of danger.
Detention and Investigation
Carlos Torres Piña, the State Attorney General, confirmed that apart from the slain assailant, two additional individuals have been detained in connection with the attack.
The Fiscalía de Michoacán has deployed homicide unit personnel, forensic experts, and prosecutors to bolster investigations in Uruapan and expedite the crime’s resolution.
“Further details will be shared as they emerge,” Torres Piña stated.
Collaboration with State and Federal Authorities
The message from the Michoacán Fiscalía complements earlier reports by Mexico’s Security Cabinet and Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, who confirmed the deployment of federal and state security forces to secure the area and conduct preventive patrols.
The state leader condemned Manzo’s murder, vowing that “this crime will not go unpunished.” He also confirmed that the slain assailant was neutralized on-site, and the firearm was secured.
Context of Regional Violence
Uruapan, governed by Carlos Manzo since 2024, is a major exporter of avocados and limes, industries plagued by criminal organization extortion for years.
In Michoacán, groups like the CJNG and La Nueva Familia Michoacana have been active, leading to conflicts, murders of agricultural leaders, and the rise of self-defense groups.
Manzo’s assassination follows the recent killing of Bernardo Bravo in Apatzingán, a lime producer representative who had previously reported threats and illegal collections.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was Carlos Manzo? Carlos Manzo Rodríguez was the mayor of Uruapan, Mexico, since September 2024.
- What industries does Uruapan export? Uruapan is a significant exporter of avocados and limes.
- Why is Manzo’s assassination significant? This event highlights the ongoing violence and crime in Michoacán, where criminal organizations have extorted the agricultural sectors for years.
- Who are the criminal groups operating in Michoacán? Groups like the CJNG and La Nueva Familia Michoacana are active in the region.
- What recent events preceded Manzo’s assassination? The killing of Bernardo Bravo, a lime producer representative in Apatzingán, who had reported threats and illegal collections, occurred shortly before Manzo’s assassination.
