Sixth Mexican Mayor Killed in Michoacán During Day of the Dead Festivities

Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, mayor of Uruapan in Mexico's violent Michoacán state, was assassinated during Day of the Dead festivities, shot multiple times in public despite months of federal protection. Manzo was a vocal opponent of drug cartels, frequently denouncing their extortion of local industries and criticizing both the federal and state governments for ineffective strategies and corruption. His killing, the sixth mayor murder in Mexico this year and third in Michoacán, highlights the ongoing battle for control among criminal groups in the region. Following the attack, one assailant was killed and two detained, but investigators are considering all possibilities in the investigation. The mayor's assassination has sparked public outrage, with local residents demanding justice and expressing frustration with the ruling party and government officials. This incident underscores the peril faced by local politicians who confront organized crime amid Mexico's broader security challenges.