Dozens arrested in connection with Mexican mayor’s November 2025 assassination

Mexico's security chief outlined Tuesday some of the high-level criminals linked to the murder of Uruapan mayor, Carlos Manzo — including within his inner circle.MEXICO CITY (CN) — Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of Mexico Omar García Harfuch announced Tuesday that 34 individuals have been detained in connection with the 2025 murder of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo.Manzo was gunned down during a public Day of the Dead candlelight ceremony in Uruapan, Michoacán’s central plaza on Nov. 1, 2025.Harfuch said during Tuesday’s press conference that masterminds, recruiters, logistics operators and members of the criminal structure authorities say planned and carried out the attack have been arrested.Some of these individuals include members of Manzo’s inner circle and of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.Harfuch pointed to the capture of Rafael Álvarez Ayala, alias “R2,” and his brother, Ramón, alias “R1,” for their role in the Manzo killing. The brothers are both high-ranking members of a violent cell of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel called Los Rs.“The importance of the arrests of ‘R1’ and now ‘R2’ is that progress is being made against the main commands of a highly violent criminal organization affecting the population with extortion and violence,” said Harfuch.Harfuch announced Sunday that the Mexican Navy and the Mexican Army Special Forces arrested Rafael Álvarez Ayala along with 19 other individuals in a massive operation in Jalisco. He also added in his announcement that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration provided intelligence leading to their capture.The brothers are also wanted by the U.S. Department of Justice for drug trafficking and firearms charges.On July 30, federal forces captured Ramón Álvarez Ayala also in Jalisco. Harfuch called Ramón Álvarez Ayala the primary mastermind of Manzo’s killing on Tuesday and noted the involvement of those in Manzo’s inner circle.“One of the sensitive aspects revealed by the investigations is that those involved in this crime include individuals close to Manzo’s circle. They were familiar with his routines, possessed information regarding his activities, movements, and security arrangements, and leveraged that proximity to facilitate the attacks against him,” said Harfuch on Tuesday.Harfuch said Samuel “N,” the former director of public relations and protocol for the municipal government of Uruapan, gave real-time information to organized crime group members about Manzo’s whereabouts and movements when the attack occurred.A Michoacán State Prosecutor’s Office bulletin shows Samuel “N” was arrested, along with Josué Eulogio “N,” alias “El Viejito,” on Jan. 12, 2026, over their role in the homicide.Samuel “N” reportedly supplied information about Manzo to Josué Eulogio “N,” who then shared it with a WhatsApp group. A 17-year-old shot Manzo seven times in Uruapan before he was killed by Manzo’s security detail.Manzo frequently spoke out against criminal groups in his state of Michoacán and criticized Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for what he saw as her lax approach to crime.In September 2025, Manzo threatened violence against criminal groups after Vidal Brígido Guzmán, a Uruapan police officer, was killed.“If there is no response from the federal government, if there is no response from the justice system, we will let the people take justice into their own hands,” the mayor said in a speech in September 2025.“If there are going to be deaths, there will be deaths among the criminals, too — not just among the people — because we are not going to just sit back and take it. The people are tired,” he added.On Nov. 2, thousands marched in the streets of Uruapan demanding justice for the slain mayor and peace in Mexico.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads