On Saturday, November 1, 2025, Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo was shot and killed while attending a candlelight ceremony celebrating Dia de los Muertos. Uruapan is a Sister City of Culver City. Last year, the two cities commemorated 60 years of connection.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Mayor Carlos Manzo of Uruapan, Michoacán, Sister City of Culver City. Manzo was a victim of political violence, dedicating his work to a safer city. We condemn the assassination and mourn with his community.” Mayor Dan O’Brien offered in a statement to the community.
Manzo became mayor in September 2024. According to other news reports, he occasionally joined security patrols on the streets wearing a bulletproof vest. In a video on his social media of one such patrol in June of this year he urged the federal government to do more to tackle violent crime.
O’Brien noted that “Last year, we celebrated 60 years of shared partnership. Culver City and Uruapan have fostered mutual understanding, respect, and goodwill between our communities through cultural, educational, and economic exchanges. Our hearts are with the community of Uruapan.”
Uruapan is a word from the dialect of the P’urhépecha language that means ‘the place where everything flowers.’ Mayor O’Brien offered “We hope that one day peace can blossom in Uruapan, as envisioned by Mayor Manzo.”
Additional text from city of Culver City
Photo credit- Associated Press
