Who was Alejandro Arcos? The severed head of Mexico’s mayor was found on top of his car six days after he took office

In a shocking act of violence, Alejandro Arcos, the newly elected mayor of Chilpancingo, Mexico, was brutally murdered just six days after taking office. His decapitated head was discovered late Sunday on top of his car, while his body was inside the vehicle. The gruesome scene has left the city and state of Guerrero in shock.

Arcos, 43, had only recently begun his term as mayor of Chilpancingo, a city of about 280,000. His killing marks the second high-profile killing in the capital of Guerrero in less than a week, following the killing of government secretary Francisco Tapia, who was shot just days earlier. Both officials were seen as committed to improving their communities.

The attorney general’s office confirmed Arcos’ death and announced an investigation into the crime. Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado expressed deep sadness and anger over the killing. “His loss mourns the entire Guerrero society and fills us with indignation,” she stated on social media.

Earlier on the day of his murder, Arcos had visited neighborhoods in Chilpancingo to assess the damage caused by Hurricane John. His efforts to help rebuild the city were cut short by this horrific act of violence.

Killings of local politicians are not uncommon in Guerrero, a state that has become one of the most dangerous places for officials and journalists in Mexico. At least six candidates running for various positions in Guerrero were killed in the run-up to the June elections. The state has been plagued by ongoing conflict between rival drug cartels, the Ardillos and the Tlacos, who regularly clash in violent power struggles.

Chilpancingo in particular has been plagued by violence for years. In 2023, the city’s former mayor, Norma Otilia Hernández, was caught in a video meeting with suspected leaders of the Ardillos gang. She was later expelled from her political party, paving the way for Arcos to run for office. Despite efforts to clean up the city’s image, crime and corruption remain major challenges.

Senator Alejandro Moreno, in his speech after Arcos’ death, emphasized the tragedy of the loss of young, honest public servants. “They were young and honest officials who sought progress for their community,” he wrote on social media.

The increase in violence in Chilpancingo is part of a broader pattern of unrest in Guerrero. In July 2023, a protest organized by the Ardillos gang led to a two-day standoff with security forces. Protesters blocked a major highway, stole an armored police car and even broke into the state legislature building. They kidnapped and eventually released several members of the state police and National Guard in exchange for promises of government investment in public projects.

As authorities continue to investigate Arcos’ murder, Chilpancingo residents must grapple with the loss of yet another leader in the city’s fight against violence and corruption.

This tragic incident highlights the dangers facing government officials in Mexico, especially in regions like Guerrero, where criminal organizations wield significant power.