Brutal assassination in plain sight
The mayor of Uruapan in the western Mexican state of Michoacán, Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez (40), was fatally shot during a candlelit Day of the Dead celebration in the city’s historic centre. The attack occurred late on 1 November 2025 in front of many attendees. According to state prosecutors, he was struck by seven gunshots, later dying in hospital. A city councillor and a bodyguard also suffered injuries in the assault. The suspected gunman was shot dead at the scene by security forces.
A mayor under threat
Manzo Rodríguez had earned a reputation for being outspoken in his criticism of organised criminal groups operating in Michoacán. He had publicly accused local authorities of corruption and had requested federal assistance to confront growing cartel influence in Uruapan’s avocado-rich region. Despite being under federal protection since late 2024, his high-visibility crusade against crime made him a marked man.
Michoacán’s escalating violence problem
Michoacán remains one of Mexico’s most violent states, with frequent turf wars between rival cartels over drug routes, extortion and agricultural-export control. The killing of a municipal president during a public festival underscores the audacity of criminal organisations and the mounting risks faced by local elected officials.
Public outrage and demands for justice
The mayor’s funeral procession drew hundreds of protesters dressed in black, carrying his photograph and chanting “Justice! Justice! Out with Morena!”—a reference to the ruling party of President Claudia Sheinbaum. The president herself pledged a full investigation, stating “There will be no impunity” in Manzo’s assassination.
The wider implications for local governance
This killing signals a dangerous environment for local leadership:
- It highlights how municipal officials advocating for security reforms are vulnerable to violent backlash.
- It raises concerns about the effectiveness of security protection for politicians in high-risk regions.
- It complicates the political landscape: Manzo had broken from his former party and positioned himself as a reformer unafraid of confronting crime.
What to watch next
- Whether federal investigators can swiftly identify the masterminds behind the attack and break the criminal-links chain.
- How the murder will impact upcoming local elections and the willingness of candidates to stand on anti-cartel platforms.
- Whether new protective measures for mayors and municipal officials will be introduced in Mexico’s violence-plagued zones.
- The response of the community in Uruapan: deeper mobilisation, possible retaliatory violence, or renewed demands for state and federal intervention.
The takeaway
The assassination of Uruapan’s mayor during a beloved public festival is a potent reminder of how deep the reach of organised crime is in parts of Mexico. It underscores the fragile nature of local governance when officials attempt to challenge entrenched criminal power. The demand for justice is loud—but the path to meaningful change is daunting.
