MEXICO CITY, Nov 20, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Mexican officials announced Wednesday the arrest of one of the alleged masterminds behind the murder of a crime-fighting city mayor, whose death unleashed huge anti-government protests and a flood of federal forces to the region.

Carlos Manzo, who led Uruapan in Michoacan state, shot to fame chasing gang members from the air in a cowboy hat before he was gunned down at a public event on November 1 marking Mexico's Day of the Dead.

His death stoked anger towards authorities accused of failing to support Manzo in the fight against the region's myriad cartels.

Mexico's government said Wednesday that Jorge Armando "N," also known as "El Licenciado," had been arrested.

Public Security chief Omar Garcia Harfuch described him as a leader in the criminal cell that planned the murder, and said he taught some of the members how to use weapons.

"This arrest represents a key step in dismantling the criminal structure behind this attack," Harfuch told reporters, adding that there will be more arrests.

Mexican media reported that Manzo's murder was linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a powerful group involved in drug trafficking.

Many people demanded justice for his death at a massive rally in Mexico City on Saturday, during which over 100 people were injured -- mainly police officers -- and 19 were arrested.

There have been large demonstrations in several other cities too.

In just over a year as mayor in the country's avocado-growing heartland, Manzo became known as the "Mexican Bukele," in reference to El Salvador's popular gang-busting President Nayib Bukele.

He had criticized insecurity in Michoacan state on social media and had asked the federal government for support in addressing it.