Eleven arrested
Federal authorities arrested this week Jaciel Antonio “N”, accused of recruiting two people who participated in the murder of Carlos Manzo, mayor of Uruapan, Michoacán, bringing the total to eleven arrests in the case.
The man is accused of recruiting people in rehabilitation centers to integrate them into criminal cells.
Omar García Harfuch, Secretary of Security, reported that the capture is part of the Michoacán Plan for Peace and Justice, which began after the murder of Manzo.
The escorts
Federal authorities arrested on Friday seven bodyguards of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan murdered in early November.
Elements of the Army, the National Guard and the Michoacán Prosecutor’s Office participated in the capture operation deployed at the Uruapan House of Culture, where Manzo was dispatched.
The State Prosecutor’s Office reported that public servants are accused of qualified homicide, in commission by omission.
The detainees were transferred to the “Lic. David Franco Rodríguez” Penitentiary Center, where they were placed at the disposal of the Control Judge.
Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla announced a few days ago that they were being investigated for irregularities committed in security protocols during the night in which Carlos Mazo was attacked.
According to the president, the young Víctor Manuel Ubaldo Vidales, identified as the murderer of Mayor Carlos Manzo, received the shot that killed him when he was already detained. The shot would have been fired by one of the bodyguards.
Carlos Manzo’s first security circle was chosen by himself, while the second perimeter was made up of elements of the National Guard.
The first detainees
Hours after the attack on Carlos Manzo, the Michoacán Prosecutor’s Office reported that two people were detained at the scene, however, it did not give details about how they participated.
Quiroz asks to investigate politicians
Grecia Quiroz, municipal president of Uruapan, Michoacán, reported that during her meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum – which occurred hours after the murder of Carlos Manzo – she requested that Morenista politicians be investigated for the crime.
“I asked her to please investigate these people directly… I know that they belong to her party, but I also know that there is a history of these people because I am not saying it, many people are saying it… that she is not going to cover up anyone, even if it is from her party, that whoever has to pay pays, I mentioned it to her two or three times… yes, that she was not going to cover up anyone… I hope that’s the case,” Quiroz said during an interview with journalist Adela Micha.
Members of the Hat Movement have pointed out Leonel Godoy, federal deputy of Morena; Raúl Morón, former mayor of Morelia, and Ignacio Campos, former mayor of Uruapan, as alleged masterminds of the crime.
Quiroz assured Adela Micha that President Claudia Sheinbaum promised not to cover up anyone in the investigations.
Carlos Manzo requested several times to meet with the president to explain what was happening with the violence in Uruapan. However, the meeting never occurred.
In this regard, Sheinbaum would have told Quiroz that he did feel remorse.
“She told me that for a moment a remorse came to her mind as to why she hadn’t received it (Manzo). She said: ‘I’m a human being and I’m not going to lie to you… That remorse just crossed my mind as to why I didn’t receive it,'” Grecia said.
Quiroz took over as substitute mayor of Uruapan a few days after the murder of Carlos Manzo, who was attacked during a Day of the Dead event.
During an interview with journalist Azucena Uresti, Omar García Harfuch, Secretary of Security, assured that until now there was no evidence linking the politicians accused of participating in the crime.
The federal official, however, said that if the investigations point to any public servant, action will be taken against them.
Harfuch also reported that Ramón Ángel Álvarez, alias “El R1”, identified as a man close to Nemesio Oseguera ”El Mencho”, is the person who ordered the killing of Carlos Manzo. Authorities are already looking for the subject.
