Demonstrations broke out in both Uruapan and the state capital Morelia. Thousands demanded justice and accused local officials of failing to protect Manzo, who was gunned down Saturday night during a Day of the Dead celebration in Uruapan’s zocalo. The 40-year-old mayor, known for his outspoken stance against criminal cartels, later died at a local hospital.
Protesters in Morelia stormed the Michoacan Government Palace, damaging parts of the 18th-century building before police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. Authorities said eight people were arrested in connection with the vandalism. Across Michoacan, residents carried signs reading “Justice for Manzo” and “Enough with all this crime.”
One university student in Uruapan told Reforma newspaper that “the only thing we want is peace — to go out at night and not feel unsafe.”
Manzo’s killing has drawn international attention. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on social media that his thoughts were with the mayor’s family, writing, “The U.S. stands ready to deepen security cooperation with Mexico to wipe out organized crime on both sides of the border.”
US Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson echoed that message, pledging that both countries “stand together… united in our resolve to ensure justice.”
Mexico’s federal security minister Omar García Harfuch said Sunday that the government welcomes any assistance the U.S. can provide in investigating the attack.
Authorities confirmed that two suspects were taken into custody and that the alleged shooter was killed at the scene. Officials have not announced a motive, but Michoacan remains one of the country's most violent states, home to both the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and rival groups allied under Carteles Unidos.
