Assassination of Uruapan Mayor Sparks Renewed Calls for Tougher Mexico Cartel Actions

Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, Mexico, was assassinated during Day of the Dead celebrations after vocally opposing the federal government's "hugs, not bullets" approach to combating cartels, advocating instead for a hardline, forceful response to organized crime. Known for leading police raids himself and calling for brutal measures against criminals, Manzo acknowledged the risks but remained defiant, famously stating he did not want to be "just another murdered mayor." Despite extensive security including National Guard protection, he was fatally shot in a public event, an attack described as a "kamikaze attack" due to its brazen nature. His killing sparked national and international outcry, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum mourning the loss but defending her administration's non-militarized security strategy and rejecting U.S. military intervention in Mexico. The U.S. expressed readiness to deepen security cooperation to combat cartels following the assassination. Manzo's death highlighted the ongoing debate in Mexico over how to effectively confront violent cartels amid a persistent security crisis.