Carlos Manzo killing mastermind captured, Mexico says

Mexico said on Thursday it had captured the alleged mastermind behind the assassination of Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo, who was killed in November 2025 during Day of the Dead celebrations.

Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch identified the suspect as Ramon Angel "N," also known as R1, with the last name withheld for judicial reasons. Harfuch said the suspect led an armed group working for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and was the mastermind behind Manzo's killing.

Manzo was mayor of Uruapan, a city in the agricultural state of Michoacan. He was killed on the street while with his family for the traditional Day of the Dead ceremony.

Harfuch said Ramon Angel "N" was arrested after months of intelligence work in an operation involving police and military special forces. He said the criminal cell the suspect led was among the most violent linked to the cartel and operated in cities in Michoacan and neighbouring Jalisco.

Harfuch said the organisation was tied to extortion, homicides and drug trafficking affecting producers, business owners and families in the region. He said the capture was the 31st arrest connected to Manzo's assassination.