Mexican authorities have arrested seven members of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo’s security detail as suspects in his assassination, a stunning development that has shaken the nation and intensified scrutiny on the country’s ongoing security crisis.
The Michoacán prosecutor’s office announced on Friday, November 21, 2025, that the guards all active municipal police officers were detained for their “probable involvement in the crime of qualified homicide.” Their arrests mark a dramatic turn in the high-profile case that has dominated national headlines for weeks.
Manzo, 40, was assassinated on November 1 in broad daylight while attending a Day of the Dead event with his family. Authorities initially reported that the suspected gunman was a 17-year-old boy who was killed on the scene by Manzo’s security team. However, investigators now believe organised crime orchestrated the attack, and the recent arrests suggest possible collusion from within Manzo’s own protective circle.
The killing triggered outrage across Mexico, sparking large-scale protests led largely by Gen Z activists. Last Saturday’s massive demonstration in Mexico City resulted in more than 100 injuries and 19 arrests after clashes with police.
Until their arrest, the seven officers had continued serving as security for Manzo’s widow, Grecia Quiroz, who was appointed by the state Congress to succeed him as mayor.
Federal authorities have also detained Jorge Armando “N,” known as El Licenciado, naming him one of the masterminds behind the assassination. He is believed to lead a criminal cell linked to the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, according to local media.
The case has increased pressure on President Claudia Sheinbaum, who is struggling to tame rampant cartel violence. In response, she has launched Plan Michoacán, deploying 10,000 soldiers and expanding social programmes in an effort to restore order.
As investigations continue, the arrests of Manzo’s own protectors underscore the complexity and deep infiltration of organised crime in Mexico’s security institutions.
