Carlos Manzo, mayor of Uruapan, Michoacán, was assassinated on November 1, 2025, during a public Day of the Dead celebration, sparking national outrage and calls for justice.
In a shocking act of violence, Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, the independent mayor of Uruapan, Michoacán, was fatally shot on the evening of November 1, 2025, while inaugurating the Festival of the Candles, a major Day of the Dead event in the city’s historic center. The attack occurred in front of hundreds of attendees, including families and children, as Manzo stood with his own children and security team.
According to eyewitness accounts and video footage, six gunshots rang out, striking Manzo and causing panic among the crowd. Paramedics attempted to revive him on-site, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to a hospital. Security forces responded swiftly, killing one of the alleged attackers and detaining two others.
Manzo had been a vocal critic of organized crime in the region and had repeatedly called for increased support from state and federal authorities. His assassination has reignited concerns over political violence in Mexico, particularly in Michoacán, a state plagued by cartel activity and corruption.
The federal government, including President Claudia Sheinbaum and Secretary of the Interior Rosa Icela Rodríguez, condemned the attack and pledged a thorough investigation. Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla assured the public that all security agencies are collaborating to bring those responsible to justice.
Citizens gathered in mourning and protest, demanding accountability and greater protection for public officials. Manzo, known locally as “El Sombrerudo,” leaves behind a legacy of civic activism and defiance against criminal influence. His death marks a grim reminder of the dangers faced by Mexican politicians in volatile regions.
Source: El Universal
