Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, the independent mayor of Uruapan, Michoacán, has become one of Mexico’s most controversial and outspoken local leaders in the fight against organized crime. Elected in June 2024 with over 66% of the vote, Manzo campaigned on a platform of transparency, anti-corruption, and uncompromising security reform.
Since taking office in September 2024, Manzo has implemented bold measures to confront criminal groups operating in the region, including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Los Viagras, and Cárteles Unidos. He has publicly declared a “frontal and even-handed” approach to combating crime, refusing to negotiate or tolerate any form of collusion.
His most polarizing moment came in May 2025, when he instructed municipal police to “neutralize armed criminals who resist arrest or threaten civilians”—a statement that drew both praise and criticism nationwide. While some hailed his tough stance as necessary in a region plagued by violence, others, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, warned that such rhetoric undermines the rule of law.
Manzo has also invested in security infrastructure, including the purchase of high-level armored vehicles for police patrols. When questioned about the funding, he responded bluntly: “The budget is enough because we’re not stealing it like past governments”.
Despite receiving threats from criminal groups—including one targeting his son—Manzo has refused to back down. In a viral video, he defiantly responded, “Here I am, waiting for you,” reinforcing his image as a fearless, if controversial, figure.
While his methods remain debated, Carlos Manzo has undeniably shifted the conversation around local governance and public safety in Michoacán. His tenure reflects the growing tension between citizens’ demands for security and the legal frameworks that govern the use of force in Mexico.
Carlos Manzo detailed the discovery of a clandestine training camp in the Purépecha Plateau region of Michoacán, where high-caliber ammunition, tactical clothing, and material linking the area to organized crime activities were found.
Manzo stated that videos were found on a cell phone abandoned at the site. These images, he claimed, show training activities at the training camp.
The operation, carried out on June 7, yielded evidence, although the perpetrators managed to escape. When asked about the criminal organization behind this location, Manzo explained that he does not know the name of the cell, but confirmed that several drug cartels are present in Uruapan, including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), the Knights Templar, Los Viagra, and others associated with the United Cartels.
“What I can tell you is that citizen reports and anonymous comments are essential to detecting this type of activity,” he stated.
The mayor also revealed that residents of the region have reported the participation of people of other nationalities, particularly Venezuelans and Colombians, in the training conducted in this area.
Although there is no official confirmation, these testimonies underscore the seriousness of criminal activity in the area.
Sources: Quinto Poder / Infobae
