The execution of the mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, has once again exposed the complex network of organized crime in Michoacan and the vulnerability of its local authorities. According to various sources and security analysts, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which is engaged in a dispute with other criminal groups for control of the region, is behind the attack. Security expert David Saucedo stated in an interview with Aristegui Noticias that at least five criminal organizations converge in Uruapan: the CJNG, Los Viagras, Carteles Unidos, Los Blancos de Troya, and La Familia Michoacana. He explained that the state “was invaded by the Jalisco Cartel about eight years ago,” which led to clashes with local mafias. According to Saucedo, most municipal authorities “have been subjected to the de facto power of the cartels,” with the exception of Manzo, who launched a crusade against organized crime without the support of the state or federal government. The capture of “El Rino” triggered everything. Last August, the mayor had led the capture of Rene Belmonte, alias “El Rino,” identified as the CJNG plaza boss in Uruapan. His arrest is believed to have prompted reprisals from the criminal group. Sources close to the investigation confirmed that the attack against Manzo, carried out last Saturday during the Day of the Dead celebrations, was ordered by that criminal cell. The assailant, a young man later identified as Osvaldo Gutierrez Vazquez, alias “El Cuate,” was killed in the attack. He was allegedly linked to “El Prangana,” a CJNG operative under the orders of brothers Ramon and Rafael Alvarez Ayala, known as R-1 and R-2. The Alvarez Ayala brothers are part of the inner circle of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” the top leader of the CJNG, and are believed to have been responsible for violent operations in Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco. In 2012, they helped the drug lord evade capture after a series of roadblocks set up by drug traffickers. The brothers' criminal organization, with its former political ties to the PRD and now with networks in Morena, has extended its influence in several municipalities in Michoacan.

According to security sources consulted by the newspaper El Financiero, the hitman who killed Manzo had consumed methamphetamine and marijuana before the attack. The governor of Michoacan, Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla, acknowledged that organized crime is behind the murder, although he has avoided naming the responsible group. Meanwhile, the federal government, headed by Claudia Sheinbaum, reportedly expressed displeasure with Ramirez Bedolla for the lack of attention to the violence crisis in the state.

Manzo had publicly requested support from the authorities after the arrest of El Rino. In a video released in August, he warned the population of possible attacks by the CJNG and asked citizens to stay home. Weeks later, attacks against local police officers and the murder of an officer were reported, highlighting the escalating violence. Following the mayor's murder, National Guard and State Police forces deployed an operation in Uruapan to contain the social unrest. Saucedo emphasized that "seven mayors have now been murdered in Michoacan" and that six others have survived assassination attempts. "The situation reflects the degree of subservience of local authorities to the cartels," he warned. The state administration faces criticism for the constant turnover of heads of the Security, Government, and Prosecutor's Office departments since 2021. Analysts maintain that the lack of coordination allowed the assailant to breach Manzo's security detail during a public event. "The governor must be the guiding force in security; federal aid is the second tier," a source close to the federal security cabinet told the newspaper El Pais. The murder of the mayor, who was married and the father of two young children, has caused national shock. Morena and opposition parties expressed condolences and demanded justice. Locally, Grecia Quiroz, Manzo's widow, is expected to temporarily assume the mayoralty of Uruapan to maintain administrative stability, although political and social tension persists. He warned the population of possible attacks by the CJNG and asked citizens to stay home. Weeks later, attacks against local police officers and the murder of one officer were reported, demonstrating the escalation of violence. Following the mayor's murder, National Guard and State Police forces deployed an operation in Uruapan to contain the social tension. Saucedo emphasized that "seven mayors have now been murdered in Michoacan" and that six others have survived assassination attempts. "The situation reflects the degree of subservience of local authorities to the cartels," he warned. The state administration faces criticism for the constant turnover of heads of the Security, Government, and Prosecutor's Office departments since 2021. Analysts maintain that the lack of coordination allowed the assailant to breach Manzo's security detail during a public event."The governor must be the guiding force in security; federal aid is the second tier," a source close to the federal security cabinet told the newspaper El Pais. The murder of the mayor, who was married and the father of two young children, has caused national shock. Morena and opposition parties expressed condolences and demanded justice. Locally, Grecia Quiroz, Manzo's widow, is expected to temporarily assume the mayoralty of Uruapan to maintain administrative stability, although political and social tension persists. He warned the population of possible attacks by the CJNG and asked citizens to stay home. Weeks later, attacks against local police officers and the murder of one officer were reported, demonstrating the escalation of violence. Following the mayor's murder, National Guard and State Police forces deployed an operation in Uruapan to contain the social tension. Saucedo emphasized that "seven mayors have now been murdered in Michoacan" and that six others have survived assassination attempts. "The situation reflects the degree of subservience of local authorities to the cartels," he warned. The state administration faces criticism for the constant turnover of heads of the Security, Government, and Prosecutor's Office departments since 2021. Analysts maintain that the lack of coordination allowed the assailant to breach Manzo's security detail during a public event. "The governor must be the guiding force in security; federal aid is the second tier," a source close to the federal security cabinet told the newspaper El Pais. The murder of the mayor, who was married and the father of two young children, has caused national shock. Morena and opposition parties expressed condolences and demanded justice. Locally, Grecia Quiroz, Manzo's widow, is expected to temporarily assume the mayoralty of Uruapan to maintain administrative stability, although political and social tension persists.

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