Mexican Mayor Known for Tough Stance on Drug Gangs Killed at Day of the Dead Celebration

Mexican Mayor Who Fought Against Cartels Assassinated at Day of the Dead Celebration

Carlos Manzo, the outspoken mayor of Uruapan in Mexico’s Michoacán State, was fatally shot Saturday night while attending a Day of the Dead vigil. State officials confirmed he was shot seven times and later died from his wounds at a nearby hospital.

Manzo had gained national attention for his hardline stance against drug cartels and his criticism of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s approach to combating organized crime. Just weeks before his death, the mayor had publicly expressed fears for his safety while vowing to continue his fight.

“I do not want to be just another mayor on the list of those who have been executed and had their lives taken away from them,” Manzo told local media in September. “I am very afraid, but I must face it with courage.”

Nicknamed the “Mexican Bukele” for his aggressive anti-crime policies – a reference to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, known for his sweeping crackdown on gang violence – Manzo had established himself as one of the few independent politicians willing to directly challenge cartel influence in one of Mexico’s most violent regions.

Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuch announced an investigation into the assassination on Sunday, promising there would be “no impunity” for those responsible.

“We send our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones and the residents of Uruapan, who today are experiencing a painful and unjust loss at the hands of organized crime,” Harfuch said during a press conference.

The killing is particularly shocking given Manzo’s extensive security detail, which authorities said included officers personally selected by the mayor along with 14 National Guard members. The murder highlights the continued boldness of cartel operations in the region despite security measures.

Michoacán State has long been a hotspot for cartel violence, with several criminal organizations battling for control of lucrative trafficking routes and illegal enterprises. The region is strategically important for drug production and transportation, making it particularly contentious territory.

Manzo had been increasingly vocal about what he perceived as inadequate federal action against cartels since Sheinbaum’s inauguration in October 2024. In May, he directly challenged the president’s approach: “If she thinks she’s going to detain these criminals without a single shot fired and that they’ll just turn themselves in, well, she should get it done. And believe me, if she manages to do that, I will immediately submit my resignation.”

The assassination comes amid ongoing tensions between local officials in high-violence areas and the federal government. Many municipal leaders have called for more aggressive intervention from national authorities, while the Sheinbaum administration has promoted a strategy that focuses on addressing root causes of violence rather than direct confrontation.

For residents of Uruapan, a city of approximately 300,000 people, Manzo’s killing represents not only the loss of their elected leader but also raises fears about potential power vacuums and increased violence as cartels potentially seek to exploit the situation.

Hundreds gathered for Manzo’s funeral on Sunday, with many carrying photos of the slain mayor as his casket was carried through the streets of Uruapan. The procession highlighted the community’s grief and anger over the assassination.

This killing adds to the troubling pattern of violence against Mexican public officials who take strong stances against organized crime. According to security analysts, dozens of local officials have been threatened, attacked, or killed in recent years, creating a climate of fear that undermines democratic governance in cartel-controlled regions.

As investigations continue, questions remain about the specifics of the attack and whether security protocols failed to protect the mayor despite his known status as a cartel target. The assassination has renewed calls for greater protection for public officials who speak out against organized crime in Mexico’s most dangerous regions.