Bodyguards Charged in Mayor's Shocking Assassination
Authorities in Mexico have made a startling arrest, detaining seven local bodyguards in connection with the murder of a popular mayor they were sworn to protect. The arrests on Friday, 21st November 2025, mark a significant development in the investigation into the killing of Mayor Carlos Manzo, who was gunned down during public festivities earlier this month.
A Public Execution and Immediate Suspicion
The assassination occurred on 1st November 2025 in the city of Uruapan, located in the west-central state of Michoacan. Mayor Carlos Manzo was shot dead during the city's Day of the Dead celebrations in the central plaza. A teenage gunman carried out the attack, but suspicion quickly fell on the mayor's own extensive security detail, which failed to intervene.
Witnesses reported that the assailant was subsequently shot and killed by members of the security team after he was already on the ground. This action only deepened the mystery and raised questions about a potential inside job. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to The Associated Press that all seven individuals arrested had served as bodyguards for Manzo.
Cartel Link and a Widow's New Role
The investigation took a major turn earlier in the week when Mexican authorities announced the arrest of a man accused of planning and ordering the killing. The plot has been connected to the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the dominant organised crime groups operating in the volatile region of Michoacan.
Following the tragic death of her husband, Manzo's wife was sworn in as the new mayor of Uruapan. The arrests on Friday were a deeply emotional spectacle for the administration, with members of the mayor's team recording the event, some in tears as they watched colleagues being led away. It was reported that some of those detained were part of the mayor's inner circle.
Public Outcry and a New Security Plan
The central plaza in Uruapan remains a site of public mourning, filled with candles and notes demanding justice for the slain mayor, who had been an outspoken critic of organised crime's influence in the area. The brazen killing placed immense pressure on President Claudia Sheinbaum to reassess the nation's security strategy.
In response, the government unveiled Plan Michoacan. While the plan includes significant funding for social programs, its security component is substantial, calling for the deployment of 10,000 troops across the state to confront the various criminal organisations vying for control.
