Just days after taking office, a Mexican city grappling with rampant drug-related violence saw the shocking assassination of its newly elected mayor.
On Sunday, authorities found Alejandro Arcos dead in Chilpancingo, a city in the southwest state of Guerrero with a population of about 280,000. He had assumed the role of mayor just six days prior.
Evelyn Salgado, the governor of the state, expressed that the city is grieving following a murder that “fills us with indignation.” Three days have passed since the assassination of Francisco Tapia, the new secretary of the city government.
Officials have yet to disclose any information regarding the investigation or potential suspects involved. Guerrero stands out as one of the most severely impacted states by drug-related violence, with drug cartels claiming the lives of numerous politicians nationwide.
Following the emergence of unverified social media images that seemingly depict Arcos’ remains, authorities have confirmed his murder.
Arcos’s social media updates reveal that he dedicated his time in the office to overseeing disaster relief initiatives in the aftermath of Hurricane John, which resulted in significant flooding last month.
His Facebook account shared images of interactions with relief workers and local residents in the hours before his death.
Alejandro Moreno, a senator from Mexico, described Arcos and Tapia as “young and honest officials dedicated to advancing their community.” He urged federal authorities to assume control of the investigation, citing Guerrero’s “ungovernability.”
The institutional revolutionary party of Arcos has issued a call for justice. “It is time to put an end to violence and impunity!” “The residents of Guerrero should not have to endure a life filled with fear,” the statement read on Twitter/X.
Local politicians frequently become embroiled in violence associated with corruption and the billion-dollar drug trade.
Guerrero stands out as one of the most severely impacted states, largely due to its strategic position along the Pacific coast smuggling routes. The capital, Chilpancingo, has been a longstanding battleground for turf wars between two rival drug gangs, the Ardillos and the Tlacos.
In the lead-up to Mexico’s elections on June 2, the state has witnessed the tragic killings of at least six candidates for public office.
Since the government’s decision to deploy the army in 2006 to tackle drug trafficking, Mexico has witnessed a staggering toll, with over 450,000 murders and tens of thousands of individuals reported missing.
