The independent mayor of Uruapan, Michoacán, Carlos Manzo, issued a call for help to the federal government in the face of the escalating crime rate in his municipality, linked to organized crime.
“This position we have made to be heard, to send a message of help, of alert, along with many of the ones I have made since I became mayor. I have had to assume a role in combating crimes that are not entirely my responsibility, but which we are forced to do because we cannot abandon Uruapan, we cannot leave it at risk,” Manzo stated in a video message.
The mayor emphasized that the most serious crimes in the region fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government, and therefore asked that the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum assume its responsibility “as established in the Constitution.”
We demand and ask the federal and state governments, but primarily the federal government, led by our President Claudia Sheinbaum, to assume their responsibility for federal crimes.
He also indicated that the Attorney General’s Office must investigate and clarify the violent incidents under its jurisdiction.
He insisted that criminal gangs “are heavily armed, they commit kidnappings, extortion, homicides, and confrontations,” and therefore must be combated through the Mexican Army and the National Guard.
Manzo reiterated his complaint that previous administrations allowed the penetration of organized crime in Uruapan and weakened municipal security, even establishing pacts with criminals.
“Unfortunately, our municipality has been suffering from this security vacuum for approximately 25 years, and this is because it has been created by governments that have come to make pacts with criminals, that have come to be accomplices of crime,” he charged.
This, he said, has prevented strengthening public security “to protect citizens.”
He also noted that his administration has had to rebuild the local police force, which faced a lack of resources, low salaries, and deteriorating morale.
“There is still much work to be done, more funding is needed, and more needs to be achieved to ensure better security conditions for our colleagues and for the entire Ministry of Public Security,” the mayor added.
Regarding joint work with state authorities, he explained that he held meetings with Attorney General Carlos Torres Piña and Secretary of Government Raúl Zepeda, where commitments were made to strengthen security, including the presence of the Army and National Guard at security checkpoints.
He also announced a meeting with Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla on September 25, with the expectation of finalizing agreements for investment in public works and security for Uruapan.
He also stated that he will provide support to the families of recently murdered police officers and will continue to seek to improve the conditions of the municipal corporation.
Finally, the mayor, who has appeared in his messages wearing a bulletproof vest, called for public unity to confront insecurity and reiterated that he will not give in to violence or allow criminal groups to control the municipality.
Source: aristeguinoticias
