Police in Mexico have arrested a man they accuse of being the mastermind behind the murder of a popular mayor.
Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, was shot dead on 1 November at a public event marking the Day of the Dead. Manzo was an outspoken critic of cartel violence in his home state of Michoacán and his assassination triggered mass protests.
Mexico's security minister said the man suspected of ordering his murder had links to the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
This arrest represents a key step in dismantling the criminal structure responsible for this attack, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said.
He did not specify the motive behind the attack, but local politicians in Mexico often face threats from criminal gangs for failing to comply with their demands.
Harfuch identified the suspect as Jorge Amando, withholding his surname, and stated he was responsible for ordering the deadly attack on Manzo. Amando, who is also known as The Graduate, communicated with the attackers via WhatsApp and pressured them to shoot Manzo despite the presence of many bystanders.
The 40-year-old mayor was attending a Day of the Dead ceremony—an event dedicated to honoring deceased family and friends—when he was shot seven times, causing chaos among attendees.
Manzo had publicly addressed the issues of extortion and threats faced by avocado growers in the region and demanded that Mexico's federal government take stronger action against the cartels.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, blamed by García Harfuch for Manzo's murder, is notorious for drug trafficking, kidnapping for ransom, and extorting local businesses. The organization frequently targets public officials who resist their influence.
Reports indicate that the CJNG is the dominant criminal group in Michoacán, engaged in violent conflicts with rival factions over control of smuggling routes.
The assassination of Manzo led to significant public outcry, with thousands participating in protests. During a major rally in Mexico City, demonstrators displayed photos of the mayor, proclaiming, we are all Carlos Manzo, emphasizing national anger towards cartel violence.
