MEXICO: The mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital of Mexico’s violence-stricken Guerrero state, was killed on Sunday, just six days after taking office, as confirmed by the state’s governor.
Alejandro Arcos was shot dead in the city, which has a population of approximately 280,000 in southwestern Mexico. Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado expressed her sorrow in a statement shared on social media, saying, “His loss mourns the entire Guerrero society and fills us with indignation.”
The state attorney general’s office has announced an investigation into Arcos’ murder. This confirmation followed the circulation of disturbing images on WhatsApp, allegedly showing a severed head atop a pickup truck, which reportedly belonged to Arcos; however, Reuters has not independently verified the authenticity of these images.
Arcos’ death occurred just three days after Francisco Tapia, the new city government’s secretary, was shot and killed. Senator Alejandro Moreno, head of Mexico’s PRI political party, mourned their loss on social media, describing them as “young and honest officials who sought progress for their community.” He urged the federal attorney general’s office to take the lead in investigating the murders of both Arcos and Tapia, citing “the situation of ungovernability in Guerrero.”
Guerrero has become one of the deadliest states for both aspiring and elected public officials, as well as for journalists. In the lead-up to Mexico’s June 2 elections, at least six candidates for public office were killed in the state.
In recent social media posts, Arcos had been seen supervising disaster relief efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane John last month, which resulted in severe flooding in the beach resort town of Acapulco and surrounding areas.
