Requests for protection for mayors increased on Monday, November 3, following the assassination of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, who was shot and killed this past weekend.
After the deaths of Carlos Manzo and Miguel Bahena Solórzano in an armed attack on November 1, and in Pisaflores, Hidalgo, on October 20, several mayors opted to request protection due to threats against them.
Jalisco and Puebla are the states where the requests for protection for mayors are concentrated, in the wake of the murder of Carlos Manzo, who, despite having 14 security personnel assigned to protect him, was killed during the Festival of Candles in Uruapan.
What do we know about the requests for protection from mayors after the assassination of Carlos Manzo?
Authorities in Jalisco and Puebla reported on the progress made in protecting their mayors after the armed attack against Carlos Manzo and the reasons why the increased security measures were approved.
Jalisco
In the case of Jalisco, the Secretary of Government, Salvador Zamora, explained that assistance is already being provided to the four mayors who requested it. He explained that the reasons for the additional protection are related to threats or some other risky situation, without providing information about any specific case.
The municipalities in Jalisco where the mayors are receiving additional protection are:
Jaime Cruz, of Villa Hidalgo, where at the beginning of the year the director of the DIF (National System for Integral Family Development), Brenda Montañez, was kidnapped, and where a colonel was accused of receiving money from the Teocaltiche Cartel.
Margarita Villalobos, of Teocaltiche, near Teuchitlán, where a training camp belonging to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) was discovered last March.
Erika Cuevas, of Encarnación de Díaz.
Gaby Hurtado, of Unión de San Antonio.
Salvador Zamora explained that, for now, he does not see a need to reinforce the border area between Jalisco and Michoacán; however, the murder of Carlos Manzo is “a wake-up call, not only for state governments, but certainly in areas where there is clearly a conflict between organized crime groups.”
Finally, the official acknowledged that the most violent area in Jalisco is the Los Altos region, and that while they have responded well to threats against mayors, they hope not to experience a tragedy like the armed attack on Carlos Manzo.
Puebla
In Puebla, two mayors have requested additional protection after receiving reported threats:
Manuel Alejandro Porras Florentino, of Huixcolotla.
Delfino Hernández Hernández, of Eloxochitlán.
Samuel Aguilar Plata, Secretary of Government in Puebla, explained that in both cases the protection requests stem from threats allegedly linked to organized crime.
Furthermore, he explained that the governor of Puebla, Alejandro Armenta, gave them his full support and will assist them with their request. Another important point is that the state’s investigative unit will help them trace the origin of the threats in order to apprehend those responsible and ensure their safety.
Source: elfinanciero
