Violent protests have erupted across Michoacán, Mexico, following the murder of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, an outspoken critic of organized crime. Manzo was gunned down over the weekend while participating in a Day of the Dead celebration, sparking outrage and unrest across the state.
The protests began in Morelia, Michoacán’s capital, under the slogan “Enough of abuses and omissions.” The demonstration turned chaotic when crowds stormed the Government Palace, prompting police to arrest eight people.
By Tuesday, unrest had spread to Apatzingán, where protesters set fire to the city hall. Authorities denounced the attacks as the work of “shock groups” seeking to undermine peace efforts.
Manzo’s killing, along with the recent murder of Bernardo Bravo Manríquez, head of a local citrus growers’ association, has reignited anger over rising violence in the region. Bravo was found dead in October, just days after calling for better protection for farmers targeted by drug cartels.
“These murders show how violence has reached every part of Michoacán life,” said David Mora, senior Mexico analyst at the International Crisis Group. “Citizens have lived under extreme insecurity for years.”
Manzo, known for his tough stance on crime, was attacked shortly after livestreaming from the event. The suspect — believed to be a teenager — was killed at the scene. Authorities believe an organized crime group planned the assassination but have not named those involved.
The late mayor often wore a bulletproof vest and cowboy hat, symbolizing defiance in one of Mexico’s most dangerous regions. He frequently posted videos urging local police to take a harder line against criminals and publicly appealed to President Claudia Sheinbaum for federal help, warning that Uruapan was being abandoned to cartels.
Following his death, President Sheinbaum announced a new “plan for peace and justice” in Michoacán, promising more federal forces, investment in education, and improved wages for rural workers.
“Our commitment is to get to the truth and deliver justice for the cowardly murder of Carlos Manzo,” she said.
However, analysts doubt the plan’s effectiveness. “Sending more troops has not worked elsewhere,” Mora warned. “We’ve seen this in Sinaloa — more soldiers don’t necessarily mean less violence.”
Official data shows over 1,000 intentional homicides in Michoacán between January and September 2025, placing it among Mexico’s deadliest states. Despite slightly lower figures than 2024, civil groups say the true toll is far higher.
“This time, the people’s reaction feels different,” Mora added. “It’s raw, organic, and driven by years of frustration with a system that has failed to protect them.”
