The mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo Rodríguez, was assassinated last Saturday night in the Plaza de Los Mártires, immediately after inaugurating the Festival of Las Velas, an event that traditionally marks the beginning of the Day of the Dead celebrations in this locality. The murder, carried out in the presence of a large crowd, involved a criminal known as 'El Rino', who was reportedly killed at the scene. The family of the former mayor decided to have the coffin taken to the Municipal Pergola, where he used to cross daily and sometimes hold public audiences. On Sunday, peaceful marches were called for in Morelia and Uruapan to demand justice for the assassination. Tensions remained high, as the governor of Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, was booed and forced to leave the funeral of Carlos Manzo Rodríguez. Previously, on September 1, Manzo Rodríguez had warned that his life was in danger from the cartel and had requested that state and federal governments reinforce security in the municipality, which is the largest avocado-producing area in the country.
Uruapan Mayor Assassinated During Day of the Dead Festival
The mayor of Uruapan was shot dead during a festival in the city center. The perpetrators opened fire in front of a crowd. His family and residents are demanding justice, and the governor was booed at his funeral.
