Claudia Sheinbaum ruled out a change in security strategy on Monday amid a violence crisis in Michoacán, assuring that it is a response to the 'failed' strategies of the six-year terms of Enrique Peña Nieto and Felipe Calderón. She made the statements during her morning press conference, where the main topic was the murder of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo this past Saturday. This event mobilized protests and intensified criticism of the current security strategy. Sheinbaum recalled that Peña Nieto decided to arm self-defense groups with a strategy similar to other Latin American countries, which did not work. 'Some are calling for a war against the narco, militarization, and war, but that doesn't work. It is what led to the situation of violence in Michoacán,' she said. She then referred to the Calderón and Peña Nieto administrations: 'Of course, we condemn the homicide, we are conducting investigations, but they have forgotten history. Where did they declare the war on drugs?' She considered the mobilizations in the state over the weekend as understandable public indignation, acknowledging that Manzo was a 'very beloved' man, but also suggested there is political manipulation. Following the mayor's murder, Sheinbaum convened a security cabinet meeting on Sunday morning. Afterward, Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch reported that the assassin had been killed, having fired seven shots at Manzo, despite the victim having municipal police and National Guard security, according to the official report. This morning, the official stated they still do not have the criminal's identity and ruled out any link to organized crime among the victim's security detail. In Michoacán, six years of a failed strategy. 'We accept information and intelligence, but not intervention.' In this sense, she committed to not leaving Uruapan or Michoacán alone, assuring that the presence of the State will be reinforced, 'but with intelligence and justice, not with authoritarianism or extrajudicial executions,' the president stated. However, she used the opportunity to attack what she claimed were criticisms from the right: 'At no point did I hear a word of condolence for the family.' Yesterday, I said, 'the full force of the State,' and this means justice. That said, like vultures.'
