Mexican president refuses US help after mayor was shot dead in public assassination

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected an offer of increased security assistance from a U.S. official following the assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez. The mayor was shot dead in the town's historic center during Day of the Dead celebrations. Sheinbaum defended her administration's existing security policies, asserting that they have led to a reduction in homicides. She criticized opponents for what she termed opportunistic reactions to the mayor's death, stating that proposals for militarization and a "war on drugs" have historically proven ineffective. Instead, she reiterated her commitment to strengthening security forces, enhancing intelligence and investigative capabilities, and addressing the underlying causes of violence. Michoacan is a highly violent state in Mexico, serving as a contested territory for numerous cartels and criminal organizations vying for control of drug routes and other illicit operations. Mayor Manzo, who had been under protection since shortly after taking office in December 2024, had publicly appealed to President Sheinbaum for assist... download the app to read more