Three weeks before being the victim of an armed attack, the mayor of Uruapan, Michoacán, Carlos Manzo Rodríguez, made a public call to the Federal Government for the withdrawal of National Guard elements from the municipality. In a message posted on his social networks on October 8th, he stated that “the more than 200 elements that arrived a few days ago to reinforce operations in Uruapan by the National Guard have been withdrawn from Uruapan”. He warned that this decision left the city “in a vulnerable state to the illicit activities of organized crime”. Manzo highlighted that the federal presence had generated results in joint operations. The federal forces had been working very well in coordination with other security forces from the three levels of government, achieving good results and seizures in the fight against federal crimes. However, he maintained that “without any explanation, the elements of the National Guard who came to Uruapan were withdrawn”. In that message, addressed specifically to President Claudia Sheinbaum and the Secretary of Public Security, Omar García Harfuch, he requested that the support be restored. “We make a respectful call to the Federal Government, to President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (...) to Secretary Omar García Harfuch so that they do not leave Uruapan alone in the fight against federal crimes that correspond to the Federation to address”. The mayor acknowledged the limitations of the municipal police before criminal groups and recalled that the fight against organized crime is a federal jurisdiction. “As the Municipality of Uruapan, we will continue to fight (...) with everything within our reach to face this problem of insecurity and violence that is experienced in the country”. Finally, he asked the population to spread his message so it would reach the National Presidency. “Please support the people in sharing this security message so it can reach the president of Mexico”.
