The mayor of Uruapan, a city in the western Mexican state of Michoacán, was shot dead during Day of the Dead celebrations on Saturday evening, Mexican authorities said. AP. The attack occurred in a public square in front of dozens of residents and tourists gathered for celebrations.
Public Prosecutor Carlos Torres Peña confirmed that Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, the mayor of Uruapan, was shot dead in the city’s historic center and later died in hospital. A city council member and a bodyguard were also injured in the attack.
Federal Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfush said that the attacker, who opened fire on the mayor seven times, was killed at the scene. He added that the weapon used was linked to two previous armed clashes between rival criminal groups active in the region. AP. “No investigation is being ruled out to clarify this cowardly act that claimed the mayor’s life.”
Violence is linked to cartel activity
Michoacan is among the most violent states in Mexico, with powerful gangs and organized crime groups fighting for control of drug trafficking and extortion routes. Local officials are often targeted in attacks linked to political and criminal rivalries.
Manzo Rodriguez, a former lawmaker from the ruling Morena party who later ran as an independent, has often spoken publicly about the threats he faces. He has accused the pro-government governor of Michoacan, Alfredo Ramírez Pedulla, and the state police of corruption, and has repeatedly appealed to President Claudia Sheinbaum for federal aid.
On Sunday, hundreds of residents dressed in black joined the funeral procession of the slain mayor. Many carried pictures of Manzo Rodriguez and chanted, “Justice! Justice! Go out with Morena!”
At the front of the procession, a black horse wearing one of the mayor’s distinctive hats on its saddle led the crowd, followed by a mariachi band that played somber tunes. Police and military officers stood ready as the march took place through the narrow streets of Uruapan, known for its avocado cultivation.
The shooting was captured on video and shared widely on social media. Footage shows people enjoying Day of the Dead celebrations surrounded by candles, marigolds and skull decorations as gunfire erupts. Panic ensues as those present flee for cover.
In another video, an official is seen performing CPR on a person lying on the ground while armed police officers secure the area.
Previous threats and similar attacks
According to García Harfush, the mayor has been under official protection since December 2024, three months after taking office, with additional National Guard personnel assigned to him earlier this year.
Manzo Rodriguez, nicknamed “Mexican Bukele” for his tough-on-crime rhetoric inspired by El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, has positioned himself as an outspoken critic of cartel influence in local governance.
Peace is the killing of Salvador Baceda.
(With inputs from agencies)
(marks for translation) Mexico
