Jorge Armando 'N', alias 'El Licenciado', was arrested as the alleged intellectual author of the murder of Uruapan's mayor, Carlos Manzo, on November 1, 2025, during the Festival de las Velas. The crime was planned via an instant messaging group by a cell linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Omar García Harfuch detailed the attack's coordination and the subsequent killing of two involved parties.
The murder of Carlos Manzo, mayor of Uruapan and leader of the Movimiento del Sombrero, occurred on November 1, 2025, at the Festival de las Velas. Víctor Manuel 'N', a 17-year-old recruited by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), shot Manzo and was killed at the scene. He was accompanied by Ramiro 'N', who coordinated the attack in the plaza and had prior firearm offenses, and Fernando Josué 'N', an alleged 'halcón'.
The operation was planned in a messaging app group during the afternoon of November 1. 'El Licenciado', leader of the CJNG cell, ordered members to position themselves at various points to track Manzo's route and schedule, pressuring them to shoot 'even if he was accompanied'. The timeline includes: at 18:06, Ramiro 'N' sent a video of the site's planter; at 19:45, they confirmed Manzo's arrival at the festival; at 20:00, Ramiro reported the attack and that Víctor Manuel 'N' was subdued; and at 20:14, he requested pickup for Fernando Josué 'N'.
Ramiro 'N' and Fernando Josué 'N' were found dead on November 10 along the Uruapan-Paracho road, likely executed to halt investigations. On November 11, their phones were recovered with messages revealing the plan. Ramiro recruited the others via social media and trained them in firearms.
Omar García Harfuch, Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, explained: '(’El Licenciado’) pidió ultimar a como diera lugar a Carlos Manzo'. Michoacán's prosecutor, Carlos Torres Piña, confirmed the recruitment. Authorities have not specified the motive for the homicide. 'El Licenciado' was arrested on November 19 in Morelia's Centro neighborhood, Michoacán.
