Following the assassination of Uruapan's mayor, Carlos Manzo, independent deputy Carlos Bautista Tafolla from the Movimiento del Sombrero received 14 National Guard elements for protection but plans to use them for community patrols. Bautista announced an app for neighborhood alerts and expressed distrust in the federal government's new Plan Michoacán. Meanwhile, Manzo's wife, Grecia Quiroz, took over as mayor and vowed to continue his fight against crime.
On November 1, 2025, Carlos Manzo Rodríguez, mayor of Uruapan and leader of the Movimiento del Sombrero, was assassinated during the Festival de las Velas in the city's historic center. Manzo had confronted criminal groups during his administration and sought help from the federal government, including President Claudia Sheinbaum and Secretary Omar García Harfuch. He had protection since December 2024: 14 National Guard elements for perimeter security and 8 trusted municipal police.
Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla stated that Manzo's escorts became distracted and relaxed the security circle, which is under investigation via expert reports. Prosecutor Carlos Torres Piña noted that the 22 elements provided statements, with none as presumed responsible. Juan Manzo, the deceased's brother, pointed out inconsistencies: the security team asked to return to the site three times for photos with people.
After the killing, Grecia Quiroz, Manzo's wife, assumed the mayoralty on November 5 in the Michoacán Congress. Bautista Tafolla proposed her for knowing the movement's structure. Quiroz kept her husband's cabinet and warned: “The Movimiento del Sombrero will not stop”.
Bautista, an independent deputy from Michoacán, received 14 National Guard elements. “They assigned me 14 people, I don't know how long I'll have them, they are from the National Guard, but I want them used for all of you,” he said on social media. He planned patrols in neighborhoods despite criticism: “I can't stay in an office with security... it's a need I must address”.
He announced the “Carta Ciudadana” app for emergency alerts, notifying nearby neighbors and authorities to compensate for lack of local police. He focused on prevention: “I wouldn't say I'm leading a security issue, but one of prevention and protection”.
On November 10, 10,506 personnel from the Army, National Guard, and Civil Guard were deployed in Michoacán under the Plan Michoacán for Peace and Justice, with 57 billion pesos. It includes federal-state coordination, social programs, and economic reactivation against extortion of avocado growers. Uruapan is a priority. Bautista distrusted it: “I don't trust words because we've been deceived many times... let it not be just an attempt to ‘put out the fire’”. The movement will remain independent and denounced lists of politicians targeted by crime.
