On November 4, 2025, President Claudia Sheinbaum stood before the press at Mexico’s National Palace, her voice steady but urgent as she addressed a nation shaken by violence. Just three days earlier, Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan in the embattled state of Michoacán, had been assassinated—an act that sent shockwaves through local communities and ignited protests in Uruapan, Morelia, and beyond. With outrage simmering in the streets and frustration mounting over the perceived failures of existing security strategies, Sheinbaum unveiled a new initiative: the “Plan Michoacán for Peace and Justice.”
“It’s a proposal I’m making to the people of Michoacán and the people of Mexico,” Sheinbaum announced, according to Mexico News Daily. She described the plan as a comprehensive strategy, rooted in the conviction that “security is not achieved with wars, but with justice, development and respect for life.” Her words echoed the anger and exhaustion of Michoacán residents who, for years, have watched their communities torn apart by criminal violence and extortion.
The killing of Mayor Manzo was the latest in a string of high-profile crimes that have plagued Michoacán, a state notorious for its battles between rival criminal organizations. Just weeks before, Bernardo Bravo, leader of the Apatzingán Citrus Growers Association, was also murdered. The violence has left not only families grieving but entire communities feeling exposed and abandoned. In response, protesters set the Municipal Palace in Apatzingán ablaze, demanding immediate action and tangible change.
Sheinbaum, aware of the “indignation” sweeping Michoacán, made it clear that her administration shared the public’s outrage. “We are going to restore peace with justice, protect our communities, and we are going to show that peace can be built from the ground up, with dignity and with hope,” she declared. Her approach, she insisted, was fundamentally different from the militarized tactics of the past. “Peace is not imposed with force,” she said, pointedly criticizing former President Felipe Calderón’s 2006 deployment of military forces against drug cartels—a move widely credited with escalating Mexico’s violence in the years since.
The Plan Michoacán, as outlined by Sheinbaum, rests on three core pillars: security and justice; economic development with justice; and education and culture for peace. Each pillar, she explained, is designed to address both the symptoms and the root causes of violence in the region.
Under the security and justice component, the federal government will increase the presence of federal forces in Michoacán, particularly in hotspots like Uruapan. According to Latin Times, additional National Guard units had already been deployed as of November 3. The plan also calls for the creation of a Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Investigation and Intelligence on High-Impact Crimes, along with joint law enforcement units focused on homicide and extortion cases. A new alert system for local officials and stronger mechanisms for anonymous reports of extortion are also in the works, aiming to bolster the state’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to threats.
“Starting today, we will begin this work, and we hope that through open dialogue with different sectors, by this weekend, or early next week, we can present this comprehensive Peace and Justice Plan for Michoacán,” Sheinbaum said, as reported by Latin Times. She stressed the importance of community input, promising to listen to traditional authorities, churches, and the productive and social sectors to strengthen the plan with their insight and experience. Fortnightly security meetings between Michoacán authorities and members of the federal government’s security cabinet are set to ensure ongoing coordination.
The plan’s economic development proposals are equally ambitious. Michoacán, Mexico’s largest producer of avocados and a major lime-growing region, has seen its agricultural sector ravaged by criminal extortion and violence. “For years, criminal groups have extorted and killed lime and avocado producers across the state,” Latin Times noted. To address these challenges, Sheinbaum’s plan guarantees social security benefits and “decent salaries” for day laborers and other workers in export-oriented agriculture. Increased investment in rural infrastructure and the development of “well-being hubs”—industrial corridors designed to spur local economies—are also on the table. The government hopes these measures will not only improve livelihoods but also reduce the economic desperation that often fuels criminal activity.
Education and culture form the third pillar of the plan. Sheinbaum’s administration aims to establish “schools for culture and peace,” provide scholarships to university students to cover transportation costs, and create new community centers for sports and well-being. Regional centers for culture and memory are also envisioned, intended to foster a sense of belonging and resilience among young people. Social programs, statewide campaigns, and expanded support for victims will promote a culture of peace. “This is not about returning to the past, but about building justice, and that is the movement we represent—justice for those who have never had it and, for the good of all, the poor first,” Sheinbaum said, highlighting her commitment to marginalized communities.
One of the most striking aspects of Sheinbaum’s proposal is her clear rejection of militarization as a solution. “There is no way out through violence, and it must be said clearly,” she asserted. Instead, the plan seeks to build peace “with security and justice,” not through force but through community engagement and the daily work of those who love their land. Sheinbaum emphasized that her government has the resources to fund the plan and that its final version will be presented “in the coming days” after further consultation with local stakeholders.
The president also addressed international concerns, particularly rumors of a potential U.S. military mission on Mexican soil targeting drug cartels. Responding to a NBC News report, Sheinbaum was unequivocal: “It won’t happen, it won’t happen.” She cited an agreement with the United States that emphasizes “respect for our sovereignty and our territorial integrity” and “collaboration and coordination without subordination of either state.” She recounted conversations with President Donald Trump, saying, “I’ve always said, ‘Thank you President Trump, but no. Mexico is a free, independent and sovereign country.’”
As Michoacán faces another grim chapter in its long struggle with violence, Sheinbaum’s Plan Michoacán for Peace and Justice represents a bid to break the cycle. By tackling insecurity with a blend of justice, economic opportunity, and cultural renewal—and by firmly rejecting both militarization and foreign intervention—the plan aims to offer hope to a region desperate for lasting change. The coming days will reveal whether this comprehensive approach can turn the tide where so many others have failed.
