Students from the Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado de Michoacán (Cobaem) performed a dance using fake weapons, wearing masks, and holding photographs of murdered mayors from the state. In the video, a group of students can be seen dressed in camouflage pants, red t-shirts, and bulletproof vests. They were masked and held replica long guns with which they aimed at the audience present. Shortly after, images of murdered Michoacán mayors appeared: Enrique Velázquez Orozco, mayor of Contepec; César Arturo Valencia Caballero, mayor of Aguililla; Yolanda Sánchez Figueroa, mayor of Cotija. As well as Salvador Bastida García, mayor of Tacámbaro; and Carlos Manzo, mayor of Uruapan. When Manzo's image appeared, the spectators shouted, and the students put on more masks and began to dance 'La danza de los viejitos'. The students also included a part of President Claudia Sheinbaum's speech about the Michoacán Plan; the choreography ended with the masked figures on the ground and an angel in white waving. In response to the outrage and controversy caused by this school dance, the Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado de Michoacán disapproved of any manifestation that could be interpreted as apologia for the crime. It also stated that it recognizes the freedom of creation and expression of the students, as well as the work and support of their teachers. 'We urge the educational community to prioritize expressions that foster positive values and avoid those that may be perceived as promotion, acceptance, or normalization of violence. In the current context that our community is going through, we consider it essential to act with sensitivity, empathy, and responsibility, always putting the well-being of our young people at the center,' it indicates in a statement. Cobaem highlighted the importance of 'ensuring that artistic expressions are not taken out of context or misinterpreted, avoiding generating messages contrary to the principles we promote as an institution'.
