The widow of Uruapan’s slain anti-narcotics mayor has pledged to continue her late husband’s fight against organized crime after taking office on Wednesday, November 5.
Grecia Quiroz was sworn in before the Michoacan state congress, delivering an emotional speech in which she criticized federal authorities for allegedly ignoring her husband Carlos Manzo’s repeated calls for support.
“Carlos Manzo’s legacy will endure, even if his voice has been silenced,” she said. “This mission will continue.”
Manzo, 40, was shot dead on Saturday, November 1, during a Day of the Dead public event in Uruapan—a key city in Mexico’s avocado-producing region and a hotspot for cartel activity. He had served just over a year as mayor, actively campaigning against drug trafficking groups and publicly denouncing their activities through media and social platforms.
His assassination sparked public outrage and protests, as many believed he had been making headway in tackling the region’s escalating insecurity. Manzo was known for personally joining security patrols in a bulletproof vest, underscoring the dangers he faced.
Following the killing, President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration deployed additional federal security forces to Michoacan. Quiroz will complete her late husband’s term, serving as mayor until 2027.
Michoacan is home to some of Mexico’s most violent criminal organizations, including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and La Nueva Familia Michoacana, both of which were designated as terrorist groups earlier this year by U.S. President Donald Trump.
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