Carlos Manzo: One Month After The Murder, No Progress Has Been Made

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Carlos Manzo: Stalled investigation and public concern surrounding the murder of the mayor of Uruapan.

A Month of Investigation Without Conclusive Results

Attorney General Carlos Torres Piña explained at a press conference that, nearly thirty days after the crime, the case file remains open and is still being developed. He detailed that 146 expert reports, 128 interviews, and 10 data preservation techniques have been carried out, which have allowed for the structuring of a significant part of the investigation, although without a definitive resolution.

The murder, which occurred on October 31, shook the municipality of Uruapan, not only because of the mayor's stature, but also because of the criminal operation surrounding the events, which so far has left more questions than answers.

Support from Other Prosecutor's Offices Reflects the Complexity of the Case

Due to the magnitude of the crime, the Michoacán Attorney General's Office requested support from the Nuevo León Attorney General's Office, which sent the director of homicide investigations and a team of 10 experts in criminalistics, ballistics, and forensic medicine. These specialists participated in the reconstruction of events and in essential reports to strengthen the case file.

In addition, the Attorney General's Office (FGR) also contributed a recently incorporated expert opinion. Even with this inter-institutional collaboration, concrete progress remains minimal, reflecting the difficulty in fully identifying the structure behind the murder.

Arrests and Contradictions in the Carlos Manzo Case

To date, the State Attorney General's Office (FGE) has arrested nine people in connection with the homicide. Among them are:

Seven of the mayor's own bodyguards, accused of homicide by omission.

Jorge Armando Gómez Sánchez, alias "El Licenciado," an alleged member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), identified as one of the masterminds.

Jaciel Antonio Herrera Torres, alias "El Pelón," the alleged recruiter of hitmen.

However, one of the most controversial elements of the case is the murder of Víctor Manuel Ubaldo Vidales, alias "El Niño Sicario," a 17-year-old allegedly responsible for shooting the mayor six times. He was murdered from behind, with the same weapon he used in the crime, while already being subdued by a bodyguard, identified as Demetrio “N.” This extrajudicial execution opens new lines of investigation and raises questions about police conduct.

Added to this is the discovery of the bodies of Fernando Josué Leal Aceves and Ramiro “N.”, two hitmen associated with the logistics of the attack, who were found murdered on November 10 on the Uruapan-Paracho highway. The deaths of key figures involved could further complicate the complete reconstruction of the crime.

Uruapan demands clarity and justice.

The lack of concrete progress has generated concern among the population. Civil organizations and residents demand that the investigation not remain merely a collection of documents, but rather produce verifiable results that allow them to understand who ordered the murder and what the real motive was.

The climate of tension in the municipality persists, as the case has exposed alleged links between security personnel and criminal groups, in addition to inconsistencies in the initial handling of the events. Citizens demand transparency, sanctions, and greater protection to prevent another attack of this magnitude from happening again.

One month after the assassination of Mayor Carlos Manzo, the case remains shrouded in uncertainty. Although the Prosecutor's Office has compiled hundreds of investigative reports, the motive for the crime and the identity of the main mastermind remain unclear. Arrests, the involvement of other prosecutors' offices, and expert opinions provide important pieces of evidence, but not the complete picture.

Meanwhile, Uruapan awaits firm answers and justice, in an environment marked by violence, institutional distrust, and the urgent need for security guarantees for its authorities and citizens.

Sources: La Verdad Noticias, Borderland Beat Archives