Read on Global NewsThe Assassination of Mayor Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez: A Tragic Loss in Mexico's Ongoing Security Crisis
Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, the mayor of Uruapan municipality in Mexico's Michoacán state, was assassinated during Day of the Dead festivities on November 2, 2025. The 40-year-old mayor, who had frequently expressed fears for his safety and was often seen wearing a bulletproof vest, was shot seven times in front of dozens of witnesses. This tragic incident marks the seventh mayor killed in Michoacán since 2022, highlighting the severe security challenges facing Mexican local officials who confront organized crime.
The violent assassination of Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, mayor of Uruapan municipality in Mexico's western state of Michoacán, has sent shockwaves through the country's political landscape and underscored the persistent security crisis facing local officials. The 40-year-old mayor was gunned down on November 2, 2025, during Day of the Dead celebrations in the town's historic center, an attack that occurred in front of dozens of residents and tourists gathered for the traditional festivities.
The Attack and Immediate Aftermath
According to state prosecutor Carlos Torres Piña, Mayor Manzo Rodríguez was shot seven times by an unidentified assailant and rushed to a hospital where he later died. Federal Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch confirmed that the weapon used in the attack had been linked to two previous armed clashes between rival criminal groups operating in the region. The assailant was killed at the scene, while two additional suspects were arrested according to Michoacán Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla.
The attack also injured a city council member and a bodyguard, adding to the tragedy of the situation. Footage of the incident circulated on social media showed the horrifying moment when gunshots interrupted the festive atmosphere, with people in traditional Day of the Dead costumes and painted faces suddenly running for cover as the celebration turned to chaos.
A Mayor Living in Fear
Mayor Manzo Rodríguez had been living under constant threat since taking office. He was often seen wearing a bulletproof vest and had publicly expressed fears for his personal safety. In a September interview with journalist Joaquin Lopez-Doriga, he stated plainly, "I don't want to be just another mayor on the list of those executed, those whose lives have been taken from them." His concerns were well-founded—he becomes the seventh mayor killed in Michoacán since 2022, according to the New York Times.
The mayor had been under official protection since December 2024, just three months after taking office. His security detail was further reinforced in May 2025 with municipal police and 14 National Guard officers, though Secretary García Harfuch did not specify what prompted this additional security measure.
Political Context and Security Challenges
Michoacán remains one of Mexico's most violent states, serving as a battleground for various cartels and criminal groups fighting for control of territory and drug distribution routes. In recent months, Mayor Manzo Rodríguez had publicly appealed to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for help in confronting these criminal organizations. He had also accused Michoacán's pro-government governor, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, and the state police of corruption.
In another September interview with Mexico's Milenio TV, Manzo Rodríguez posed a poignant question: "How many mayors have they killed because they opposed making these pacts with organized crime?" This statement reflects the difficult position many local officials face when caught between criminal pressure and perceived government inaction.
National and International Response
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned what she called the "vile assassination" of Mayor Manzo Rodríguez on social media platform X, expressing her "deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, as well as to the people of Uruapan, for this irreparable loss." She confirmed that she had been in communication with both the Michoacán governor and Security Secretary García Harfuch following the attack.
International figures also responded to the tragedy. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, a former ambassador to Mexico, expressed that his thoughts were with the family and friends of Mayor Manzo Rodríguez. He stated that "The US stands ready to deepen security cooperation with Mexico to wipe out organized crime on both sides of the border," highlighting the cross-border implications of Mexico's security challenges.
Community Mourning and Legacy
On Sunday, hundreds of Uruapan residents took to the streets to accompany the funeral procession and bid farewell to their slain mayor. In a poignant tribute, a man led Manzo Rodríguez's black horse with one of the mayor's signature hats placed on the saddle, followed by musicians dressed in black playing mariachi songs. The emotional scene demonstrated the deep connection the mayor had forged with his community despite the brief time he served.
The assassination of Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez represents more than just another statistic in Mexico's ongoing security crisis. It highlights the extreme risks faced by local officials who dare to challenge criminal elements and serves as a sobering reminder of the work that remains to establish security and rule of law throughout Mexico. As Secretary García Harfuch vowed following the attack, "There will be no impunity"—a promise that many will be watching closely as investigations continue.
