The assassination of the mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo Rodríguez, during the Candle Festival, sparked violent protests and the takeover of the Municipal Palace. Manzo, known for his fight against drug trafficking, had reported threats and requested security reinforcements from the Federal Government.
A wave of outrage and violence erupted in Uruapan, Michoacán, following the brutal assassination of Mayor Carlos Manzo Rodríguez during the Candle Festival, in the midst of the Day of the Dead celebrations. The protests that followed his death resulted in damage to the Municipal Palace, clashes with security forces, and the arrest of three people, one of whom later died.
Protests and riots
The funeral procession for the mayor, which departed from the San José funeral home and proceeded to the María Morelos y Pavón plaza, turned into a massive demonstration under the slogan"Enough of abuses and omissions." Along the route, hundreds of residents marched demanding justice and greater security.
The protesters blamed drug trafficking for the crime and targeted President Claudia Sheinbaum, demanding concrete measures to combat the rise of organized crime. “Out with Claudia! Claudia is a murderer! Out with Morena!” they shouted during the five-kilometer march, according to local media.
Amid the unrest, a group entered the Uruapan Government Palace, destroying part of the building and clashing with police. Two people were arrested, and a third died after being wounded during the confrontations.
The call of the family
During the farewell ceremony, Grecia Quiroz, wife of the slain mayor, addressed the people with a message of resistance. “Today I tell you not to falter, to unite, to rise up as he would have wanted, to defend our children and our homeland,” she declared before the coffin, urging them to continue her husband’s fight against violence and impunity.
The attack occurred on Saturday, while Manzo Rodríguez was participating in the Candle Festival in the city's historic center. In the midst of the celebration, several shots rang out, and panic gripped the crowd. The mayor, who was carrying his son in his arms, was attacked by at least one gunman who shot him in the back.
Despite having security detail and a bulletproof vest—which he wasn't wearing that day—he was shot six times and died shortly afterward in the hospital. Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla and the Security Cabinet confirmed his death and condemned the"cowardly attack." One of the attackers was killed at the scene, while three others were arrested during the subsequent operation.
A mayor facing organized crime
Born in Uruapan in 1985, Carlos Manzo Rodríguez held a degree in Political Science and Public Administration from ITESO. After working at the Mexican Social Security Institute and serving as a federal deputy for Morena, he was elected mayor in 2024 as an independent candidate, with 66% of the vote, becoming the first to achieve that position without party affiliation.
His administration was characterized by a firm stance against drug trafficking, denouncing pressure and threats from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Knights Templar. He had repeatedly requested the Federal Government to reinforce the presence of the National Guard in the municipality and criticized the withdrawal of security forces. This confrontation with organized crime ultimately cost him his life, an event that once again highlighted the severity of the violence crisis plaguing Mexico and, particularly, the state of Michoacán.
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