MEXICO CITY: The government of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Sunday unveiled plans to fight organized crime and improve security in the violence-ridden state of Michoacan after the brazen public assassination of a local mayor sent shockwaves through the country.
More than 10,500 members of Mexico’s army, air force and National Guard are part of the operation, called the Michoacan Plan for Peace and Justice, to crack down on criminal groups, combat extortion and dismantle drug labs and training camps, officials said at a press conference.
The plan implies an investment of 57 billion pesos , Sheinbaum said.
Michoacan state has seen new waves of violence after Carlos Manzo, mayor of the city of Uruapan in Michoacan, was shot dead during Day of the Dead celebrations on November 1. Manzo had been an outspoken critic of the federal government for not doing more to confront organized crime.
Officials said they will strengthen Michoacan state police and the state attorney general’s office. Helicopters, surveillance aircraft and drones are among the technology resources dedicated to the operation. The plan also includes bolstering resources for welfare, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism and employment.
Senior officials of Sheinbaum’s administration, including Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard and Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegue, participated in the announcement at Mexico’s National Palace on Sunday.
“A special effort is being made for the people of Michoacan,” Sheinbaum said, adding that she will personally follow up on the plan’s progress every 15 days and provide public updates.
The shocking assassination of Manzo, who had given a speech and carried around his young son in his arms moments before the shooting, sparked outrage, pressuring Sheinbaum’s government to act on a worsening security crisis.
Citrus and avocado producers in the state have for years denounced extortion, kidnappings and killings linked to cartel violence. A leader from the local lime sector, Bernardo Bravo, was killed in October.
Manzo’s wife, Grecia Quiroz, was sworn in on Wednesday to replace her husband as mayor of Uruapan and vowed to continue his fight against organized crime groups.
Seventeen-year-old Victor Manuel Ubaldo was identified on November 6 by authorities as the perpetrator of Manzo’s shooting. Ubaldo was killed by security forces at the scene. The Michoacan state prosecutor’s office said additional individuals were involved in the incident.
Mexico unveils security operation in violent Michoacan state after brazen assassination of mayor
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Mexico unveils security operation in violent Michoacan state after brazen assassination of mayor
- Michoacan state has seen new waves of violence after Carlos Manzo, mayor of the city of Uruapan in Michoacan, was shot dead during Day of the Dead celebrations on Nov. 1
Ukraine president to meet European allies after Trump criticism
- Talks between Ukrainian and US officials in Miami ended on Saturday with no apparent breakthrough
- President Donald Trump accuses Ukrainian leader of not reading the US proposal to end the war with Russia
LONDON: Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky was due to meet with European allies in London on Monday, after President Donald Trump accused him of not reading the US proposal to end the war with Russia.
It comes after days of talks between Ukrainian and US officials in Miami ended on Saturday with no apparent breakthrough, with Zelensky committing to further negotiations.
The Ukrainian president will be received in London by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with the German chancellor and French president to discuss the negotiations.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is meanwhile expected in Washington on Monday, where she will meet her American counterpart Marco Rubio.
“The UK and US will reaffirm their commitment to reaching a peace deal in Ukraine,” the Foreign Office in London said, announcing Cooper’s visit.
Moscow has meanwhile continued to strike its neighbor, wounding at least nine people overnight Sunday to Monday, according to Ukrainian officials.
‘Disappointed’
Zelensky said he joined his negotiators for a “very substantive and constructive” call with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during the Miami negotiations.
“Ukraine is committed to continuing to work honestly with the American side to bring about real peace,” Zelensky said on Telegram, adding that the parties agreed “on the next steps and the format of the talks with America.”
But Trump criticized his Ukrainian counterpart on Sunday, telling reporters “I have to say that I’m a little bit disappointed that President Zelensky hasn’t yet read the proposal, that was as of a few hours ago.”
Witkoff and Kushner had met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin last week, with Moscow rejecting parts of the US proposal.
French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of Monday’s talks slammed what he called Russia’s “escalatory path.”
“We will continue these efforts with the Americans to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, without which no robust and lasting peace will be possible,” Macron wrote on X.
He added: “We must continue to exert pressure on Russia to compel it to choose peace.”
Hot and cold
Washington’s initial plan to bring an end to the almost four-year war involved Ukraine surrendering land that Russia has not been able to win on the battlefield in return for security promises that fall short of Kyiv’s aspirations to join NATO.
But the nature of the security guarantees that Ukraine could get has so far been shrouded in uncertainty, beyond an initial plan saying that jets to defend Kyiv could be based in Poland.
Trump has blown hot and cold on Ukraine since returning to office in January, initially embracing Putin and chastising Zelensky for not being grateful for US support.
But he has also grown frustrated that his efforts to persuade Putin to end the war, including a summit in Alaska, have failed to produce results and he recently slapped sanctions on Russian oil firms.
