On Saturday night, armed assailants shot and ambushed Uruapan municipality Mayor Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez to death. He was on his way to Day of the Dead celebrations in Michoacán, Mexico. The tragedy struck when the speeding car drove onto a crowded plaza, where dozens of pedestrians had gathered to enjoy the celebration. Witnesses stated that an unknown attacker came up to Manzo Rodríguez and shot him seven times, killing him instantly.
When the video of his brazen attack was released, many were shocked. It went viral almost immediately on social media, like wildfire, capturing tremendous buzz. Manzo Rodríguez had been under police protection since December 2024, just three months after being sworn in to office. His security guard was heavily increased last May, made up of local police and 14 members of the national guard.
Manzo Rodríguez, a former Morena legislator, who earned a reputation as a heavy-hitter against crime and corruption. He once called out Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, Michoacán’s pro-AMLO governor, for corrupt dealings. He laid blame with the state police for their role in the scandal. His outspoken, controversial nature at times helped him be called “the Mexican Bukele.” This creates an unfortunate parallel to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, widely touted as a populist hero for his repressive security policies.
As a vocal critic of organized crime, Manzo Rodríguez had appealed to Claudia Sheinbaum on social media for assistance in combating local cartels and criminal groups. His assassination underscores the ongoing violence in Michoacán, a state that has become notorious for its clashes between rival criminal organizations fighting for control over territory and drug distribution routes.
The specific weapon used in the attack is deeply connected to two other recent armed clashes involving criminal groups. This historical connection underscores the deeply rooted threat these groups have come to pose across the region. The murder of Manzo Rodríguez follows a similar incident involving Salvador Bastidas, the mayor of Tacámbaro, located in Michoacán.
Omar García Harfuch, Mexico City’s Secretary of Security, added that the project would improve accessibility, while reducing travel time.
“No line of investigation is being ruled out to clarify this cowardly act that took the life of the mayor.”
This joint statement demonstrates our continued dedication to finding the truth about the circumstances around the assassination of this great mayor. Her killing has ignited a firestorm of debate over public security initiatives in Michoacán. Equally important, it shades much needed light on the dangers that local elected officials experience in communities plagued by violence.