Mexican Mayor Assassinated Days After Taking Office

Alejandro Arcos, the newly elected mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital of Mexico’s Guerrero state, was assassinated on Sunday, just six days after taking office. Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado confirmed the tragic event, expressing the grief and anger felt by the local community. “His loss mourns the entire Guerrero society and fills us with indignation,” Salgado shared on social media. The Guerrero state attorney general’s office has opened an investigation into Arcos’ murder, though the circumstances surrounding the killing remain under scrutiny.

Disturbing images circulated online via WhatsApp, showing a severed head placed on a pickup truck, allegedly belonging to Arcos. However, the authenticity of the photos has not yet been independently verified by news agencies.

This assassination follows the murder of the city’s newly appointed government secretary, Francisco Tapia, just three days prior. Both men were described by Senator Alejandro Moreno as young, honest officials committed to improving their community. Moreno, leader of Mexico’s PRI political party, has called on the federal attorney general’s office to take charge of the investigation, citing concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Guerrero.

Guerrero, a state notorious for violence, has become one of the most dangerous places in Mexico for public officials and journalists. Leading up to the June 2024 elections, at least six candidates for public office were killed in the region. Arcos, before his assassination, had been actively engaged in disaster relief efforts following severe flooding caused by Hurricane John, which ravaged Acapulco and nearby areas.