Michoacán authorities arrested Rafael ‘N’, alias ‘El Aurora’, allegedly linked to the criminal cell behind the murder of Uruapan’s former mayor, Carlos Manzo. Fiscal Carlos Torres Piña stated he belongs to the same group as Jorge Armando ‘N’, ‘El Licenciado’ of the CJNG. The arrest advances probes into the killing on November 1, 2025.
Michoacán Attorney General Carlos Torres Piña explained that ‘El Aurora’ operates in Uruapan with the cell tied to Manzo’s murder, though he does not appear in the chats coordinating the November 1, 2025 attack.
He faces charges including fuel theft and drug sales. The Secretariat of Public Security and Citizen Protection carried out the arrest via its Intelligence unit. Torres Piña noted authorities are still seeking another suspect known as ‘Mike’.
The main investigative line points to retaliation for security operations Manzo led with the Army at the start of his term. The ‘Los Erre’ group allegedly paid 4 million pesos to ‘El Licenciado’ to carry out the hit, per inquiries.
So far, 20 to 23 people have been arrested in connection with the case, including ‘El Licenciado’, Gerardo ‘N’ alias ‘El Congo’, Alejandro Baruc ‘N’, and Jaciel ‘N’. Prosecutors have not ruled out a political motive, based on complaints and videos from Grecia Quiroz, Uruapan’s current mayor and Manzo’s ex-wife.
