Alleged Mastermind Behind Mexican Mayor’s Murder Arrested

Police in Mexico have arrested a man they accuse of being the mastermind behind the murder of a popular mayor.

Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, was shot dead on 1 November at a public event marking the Day of the Dead.

Manzo was an outspoken critic of cartel violence in his home state of Michoacán and his assassination triggered mass protests.

Mexico’s security minister said the man suspected of ordering his murder had links to the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

“This arrest represents a key step in dismantling the criminal structure responsible for this attack,” Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said.

He did not say what the possible motive of the attack may have been, but local officials in Mexico are often targeted by criminal gangs for failing to do their bidding.

García Harfuch said the suspect, whom he named as Jorge Amando, withholding his surname, had been the one who had ordered the deadly attack on Carlos Manzo.

BBC