The widow of slain mayor Carlos Manzo takes office “with a broken soul but firm resolve,” vowing to continue his fight for justice in Michoacán.
Grecia Quiroz García, widow of murdered mayor Carlos Manzo Rodríguez, formally assumed the role of municipal president of Uruapan, Michoacán, after his shocking assassination during Day of the Dead celebrations.
Following her swearing-in ceremony before the Michoacán State Legislature in Morelia, Quiroz returned to Uruapan under tight federal security, escorted by National Guard and state police forces. She is currently operating from the headquarters of the Movimiento del Sombrero Independiente, the political group led by her late husband.
In an emotional address, Quiroz said she takes the position “with deep pain and a broken soul” but with the commitment to defend Uruapan’s people and Carlos Manzo’s ideals.
“Today I ask everyone to fight alongside me. Only together will we move our beloved municipality forward,” she said.
She ended her speech asking for “blessings for Uruapan and for Carlos”, while emphasizing that the Movimiento del Sombrero remains strong:
“They woke up the tiger Carlos always warned about,” she declared in a message to supporters.
Quiroz also expressed that taking office was never her intention:
“This shouldn’t be happening. The one who should still be leading Uruapan is Carlos Manzo — the best mayor in Mexico’s history.”
Her leadership now begins under mourning and heightened tension, with federal authorities still investigating the killing that has shaken Michoacán and drawn national attention to the escalating violence against local officials.
