Wife of Assassinated Mexican Mayor Takes Office
The wife of Carlos Manzo, a mayor assassinated during Day of the Dead celebrations in Michoacan, Mexico, has assumed his role, pledging to continue his fight against organized crime.
Swearing-In of Grecia Quiroz
Grecia Quiroz was sworn in as mayor of Uruapan, known as Mexico's avocado capital, after unanimous approval from the state congress. She spoke with determination despite her grief, saying:
“Today I come with a broken heart because they took my life partner, the father of my children, but also with this courage, this fortitude with which he rose to fight.”
“They are not going to silence me ... I am going to follow in his footsteps.”
During the ceremony, she held her late husband's hat as a symbol of their shared cause.
Background of the Assassination
Carlos Manzo, 40, was shot and killed by a hooded gunman on Saturday night while attending a candlelight festival. The attack caused national outrage due to Manzo’s outspoken criticism of the federal government’s inaction against organized crime.
Details of the Incident
- The shooting occurred in a city of 350,000 inhabitants.
- Manzo had just delivered a speech and was seen carrying his young son, dressed as a skeleton.
- He had openly expressed concerns for his own safety while condemning the influence of drug cartels in the avocado and lime markets.
Continuing the Fight Against Crime
Quiroz's assumption of office underscores the persistence of local leadership amidst violence and corruption, highlighting the ongoing struggle against entrenched criminal organizations in Michoacan.
Author's summary: Grecia Quiroz takes her assassinated husband's mayoral office in Michoacan, vowing to continue his battle against organized crime in a region plagued by cartel violence.