Uncovered Secret Training Site by Uruapan's Mayor in Michoacán Area
In the heart of Mexico's Michoacán state, Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, the independent mayor of Uruapan, has taken an unconventional and hardline approach to combating crime, making national headlines and positioning himself as a prominent figure in the fight against criminal activities [2][3].
**Tackling Crime Head-On**
Manzo's anti-crime strategy is marked by a public confrontation of criminal groups, direct appeals for federal intervention, and a no-nonsense crackdown on criminal activity. He has publicly denounced kidnappings, homicides, extortion, and vehicle theft as significant threats to local safety [1].
Following the discovery of a clandestine cartel training camp in the Purepecha Plateau region, Manzo urgently called on the federal government, including President Claudia Sheinbaum and Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch, to intervene and address the escalating security crisis [1][2].
**A New Kind of Leadership**
Manzo's direct and vocal leadership style has disrupted traditional political dynamics in Michoacán, with some politicians viewing his rising popularity and approach as a challenge to the status quo [5]. He has openly criticized higher levels of government for their perceived neglect of Uruapan's security issues, making public appeals and refusing to stay silent in the face of violence [4].
**Community Engagement**
Manzo emphasizes the importance of citizen reports and anonymous comments in detecting criminal activity. He has invested in security infrastructure, including the purchase of high-level armored vehicles for police patrols [6].
**Controversial Measures**
Manzo's tactics have not been without controversy. He instructed municipal police to "neutralize armed criminals who resist arrest or threaten civilians," a move that drew both praise and criticism [7].
**Criminal Groups in Uruapan**
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Los Viagra, and Cárteles Unidos are among the criminal groups Manzo is confronting in Uruapan [8]. There are unconfirmed testimonies suggesting the involvement of individuals from other nationalities, such as Venezuelans and Colombians, in the criminal activities in the area [9].
As Manzo continues his crusade against crime, he remains committed to restoring peace and security for residents, regardless of which criminal factions are targeted, reflecting a pragmatic demand for safety over political or factional concerns [1].
In the midst of the general-news headlines, Manzo's vocal stance on crime and justice in Uruapan has not only made national news but also placed him in the politics realm, challenging the traditional political dynamics in Michoacán. Despite the controversies surrounding his tactics, such as his directive for the municipal police to neutralize armed criminals, Manzo remains dedicated to combating crime groups like the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Los Viagra, Cárteles Unidos, and unconfirmed reports of criminal activities involving individuals from other nationalities, such as Venezuelans and Colombians.
