The newly elected mayor of a Mexican city suffering from drug-related violence has been murdered just days after assuming office.
Videos by Suggest
Alejandro Arcos was discovered dead on Sunday in Chilpancingo, a city of approximately 280,000 residents located in the southwestern state of Guerrero. He had only served as mayor for six days.
Local media per CBS News reported that Arcos was decapitated. However, there has been no official confirmation of this.
Evelyn Salgado, the state governor, expressed that the city is in mourning following a murder that “fills us with indignation.”
This tragic event occurred just three days after the city’s newly appointed secretary, Francisco Tapia, was fatally shot.
“They were young and honest officials who sought progress for their community,” Senator Alejandro Moreno wrote on X (formerly Twitter)
Authorities have confirmed the murder of Arcos following the circulation of unverified social media images that appeared to depict his remains. Reuters reported that photos shared on WhatsApp showed a severed head atop what seemed to be Arcos’s vehicle. However, the news outlet was unable to independently verify the authenticity of these images.
The Mayor’s Short Stint in Office Was Dedicated to Hurrican Disaster Relief Efforts
Arcos’s social media posts reveal that he dedicated his days to overseeing disaster relief operations in the aftermath of last month’s Hurricane John, which resulted in significant flooding. In the hours leading up to his passing, he shared photos on his Facebook account showcasing meetings with relief workers and affected residents.
Politicians, especially at the local level, often become entangled in violence linked to corruption and the multibillion-dollar drug trade.
Guerrero is one of the most severely impacted states, primarily due to its position along the Pacific coast smuggling routes. Chilpancingo has long been a 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, at least six candidates for public office were killed in the state.
Since the government deployed the army to combat drug trafficking in 2006, over 450,000 people have been murdered. Tens of thousands also remain missing across Mexico.