Mexican mayor assassinated less than a week after taking over

by Mick de Ram

The mayor of a Mexican city notorious for drug-ridden violence has been assassinated just six days into his term.

Alejandro Arcos was found dead on Sunday, October 6 in Chilpancingothe capital of Guerrero state in the southwestern part of the country, with unverified reports suggesting he was beheaded.

His death came just three days after the city council’s new secretary, Francisco Tapia, was shot dead and these two murders are just the latest in a series of attacks on politicians in Mexico.

Of Guerrero Because it is located on the smuggling routes along the Pacific coast, it has become a prime target for criminal gangs.

Since the government deployed the military to combat drug trafficking in 2006, more than 450,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands have gone missing across the country.

Awaiting verification of the brutality of the murder

Authorities have not released full details of the incidentalthough Evelyn Salgado, the state’s governor, said the city was mourning a murder that “fills us with outrage.”

Local media reported that Mr Arcos had been beheaded and suggestions are that photos are circulating on WhatsApp with a severed head on top of what appeared to be his vehiclebut nothing has been substantiated and its authenticity is questioned.

Uncontrollable

Social media posts from the mayor indicate he had spent his days in office overseeing relief efforts following the severe flooding caused by Hurricane John last month.

Alejandro Moreno, a Mexican senator, said Arcos and Tapia were “young and honest officials who sought progress for their community.”

He then called on federal authorities to take charge of the investigation, given the “ungovernability” of the state of Guerrero.

Turf war

Chilpancingo has long been the scene of battles between two cartels – the Ardillos and the Tlacos – battling for control over drug production and trafficking.

This has the city and the wider Guerrero area one of the most dangerous in Mexico with 1,890 murders recorded last year; this in a state once better known for its seaside resort of Acapulco, but now plagued by crime.

No stranger to violence

It was in 2023 in the city of Chilpancingo A demonstration was held by hundreds of people, which was actually organized by criminals to secure the release of two gang leaders arrested for drug and gun possession, officials later confirmed.

The demonstrators blocked most traffic on the road between them Mexico City And Acapulco for two days and fought with security officials before using a police truck to ram the gates of the state legislature.

State and federal officials were subsequently taken hostage along with several police officers and were only released when the protesters’ demands were met.

Avoidance is advised

The problems are happening across the country, but in Guerrero it appears to be especially dangerous for aspiring and elected officials, with at least six candidates killed in the state ahead of early June elections.

It has certainly lost its appeal for many on the tourist front; Guerrero is now one of six states in Mexico that the U.S. State Department advises all Americans to avoid completely.

Major task facing the president

Many of the problems go hand in hand with the drug trade related to corruption and tackling cartel dominance and associated violence are high on the list of major challenges we face Claudia Sheinbaumthe first female president of Mexico.