Michoacán's Congress approved Grecia Quiroz, widow of slain mayor Carlos Manzo, as Uruapan's new municipal president on November 5 with 38 votes in favor. Quiroz took the oath in an extraordinary session, vowing to continue her husband's fight against organized crime. The appointment comes amid investigations pointing to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as responsible for the homicide.
Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, mayor of Uruapan, was assassinated on November 1, 2025, during a public Day of the Dead event. Michoacán's Attorney General, Carlos Torres Piña, stated the homicide points to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), as the weapon used links to two prior attacks on the cartel's rivals in Uruapan, on October 16 and 23. Authorities do not rule out a connection to the recent arrest of René Belmonte Aguilar, 'El Rino', a regional CJNG leader captured by municipal police.
Following the killing, the Sombrero Movement, led by Manzo, nominated his widow, Grecia Quiroz, as successor. The state Congress approved her appointment on November 5 in an extraordinary session, with 38 votes in favor and no abstentions. Accompanied by deputies and movement members, Quiroz took the oath and delivered an emotional speech: “Today I come with a broken heart because they took away my life partner, my fellow fighter, the father of my children.” She emphasized that Manzo “never made deals with anyone” and vowed to continue his legacy against organized crime, criticizing the government's delay in addressing Uruapan's violence.
Before the session, Quiroz met with President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace on November 4, demanding justice. Sheinbaum confirmed federal support, including the Michoacán Plan for Peace and Justice, which deploys more National Guard elements and opens a presidential office in Uruapan. “Michoacán has never surrendered and neither will we,” the president stated. Esteban Constantino Magaña, Uruapan's public works secretary, announced plans to profile Quiroz for Michoacán's governorship.
The Senate condemned the assassination and backed Sheinbaum's security strategy. Juan Manzo, the deceased's brother and state government undersecretary, declined to run, endorsing profiles like Quiroz's.
