Mexicans Protest Murder Of Mayor Killed At Day of the Dead Festivities

Mexicans Protest Murder of Mayor Killed At Day of the Dead Festivities Mexico Hundreds of Mexicans took to the streets of Uruapan, in the western state of Michoacán, on Sunday, calling for justice during the funeral of Mayor Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, an outspoken critic of organized crime who was shot dead the day before during Day of the Dead festivities, Al Jazeera reported. Uruapan residents, clad in black clothing and holding up photographs of Manzo Rodríguez, 40, participated in the funeral procession of the former mayor while chanting “Justice! Justice! Out with Morena!” referring to the ruling party of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the Associated Press added. Manzo Rodríguez, a former Morena legislator, was shot Saturday night in the town’s historic center and died later that day at the hospital, according to authorities. Footage of the attack shared on social media shows dozens of people running for cover after hearing gunshots. A city council member and a bodyguard were also wounded in the shooting. The former mayor, who had expressed concerns for his safety and was often seen wearing a bulletproof vest, had been under protection since December 2024, three months after taking office. Authorities told reporters that the mayor was killed by an unidentified man who shot him seven times and was later killed at the scene. The murder weapon was connected to two previous armed clashes between rival criminal groups in the area. Recently, Manzo Rodríguez had used social media to ask the federal government for help to confront the criminal groups. He had also accused Michoacán’s pro-government governor and the state police of corruption. After the shooting, Sheinbaum condemned the assassination and promised justice. The murder is the latest in a long list of assassinations of local politicians in Mexico, often targeted by criminal gangs. A mayor of the municipality of Tacambaro, also in Michoacán, was killed in June. Michoacán is one of the country’s most violent states, where criminal gangs fight for control of the territory, drug distribution routes, and other illegal activities. Uruapan, also known as Mexico’s avocado capital, is particularly vulnerable because the industry is a target for organized crime.