Uruapan Mayor Grecia Quiroz Faces Security Surge After Cartel Violence
One year after her partner was assassinated, Quiroz leads a city reeling from recent attacks and a deepening political rift over who was behind the killing.
By Hassan Lawson ·
A year after Mayor Carlos Alberto Manzo was shot dead in Uruapan’s main plaza, his successor Grecia Quiroz travels through the city in a convoy of three armored cars and two military trucks. The heavy security detail accompanies her around the clock, reflecting the persistent threat that has gripped the municipality in Michoacan state since the assassination.
Quroz, who was Manzo’s partner, took office following his death and vowed to continue his campaign against local cartels. She is currently escorted by 60 federally appointed bodyguards. The mayor described her constant fear for her children, stating, “I’m extremely worried that if tomorrow, something happens to me, what will (my children) do without a father and a mother?”
Manzo’s killing was part of a wider trend of violence against local leaders. According to an Associated Press tally, at least 13 mayors have been killed in Mexico during the two years since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office. This number stands in contrast to the 23 sitting mayors killed during the previous administration’s six-year term, according to civil society groups.
The assassination sparked a political feud between federal and state authorities. Officials blamed the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, for the murder. Quiroz, however, accused state officials aligned with the ruling Morena party of orchestrating the killing. The dispute has intensified as local elections approach, with rival factions trading accusations of exploiting the tragedy for political gain.
Investigators have detained 34 people in connection with the case. Among them are seven of Manzo’s bodyguards who were present during the attack, members of his government accused of leaking his movements, and his godson, who prosecutors say helped plan the assassination. On Thursday, authorities also detained the city’s secretary of welfare on charges of obstruction of justice, noting her familial ties to two alleged CJNG members.
Recent weeks have brought a new surge of violence to Uruapan. State authorities documented 17 killings, eight gunshot injuries, and four attacks on businesses in October. On the most recent weekend, a masked man on a motorcycle shot two women at a taco stand, killing one. Police also found two men with severe burns in an avocado field. In response, state authorities dispatched 200 law enforcement officers to the city on Tuesday.
Residents report increased pressure from local groups. David Vázquez, a store owner, said his family temporarily closed their business due to mounting extortions. While some residents criticize the visible security detail for Quiroz, others acknowledge the difficulty of her position. As the city prepares for Day of the Dead, Quiroz said she is haunted by the memory of Manzo preparing last year’s celebration.
Manzo’s legacy remains visible throughout Uruapan. Posters and busts mark the plaza where he died, and his public grave is covered with flowers and white sombreros. His headstone bears the inscription, “Not a single step backward.”
Source: Daily Breeze
