Alejandro Arcos, the newly elected mayor of Chilpancingo, was found murdered on Sunday, just six days after assuming office. His death highlights the escalating violence in the region, largely attributed to drug cartel activity.
The discovery of Arcos’s remains came just days after his administration’s new secretary, Francisco Tapia, was also shot and killed.
Evelyn Salgado, Guerrero’s state governor, voiced her sorrow and outrage, stating that the killing “fills us with indignation,” as the city mourns the loss of two officials to violence within a week.
Authorities have not released details about suspects or motives, but Guerrero, situated on Mexico’s Pacific coast, is infamous for drug cartel conflicts and power struggles between local gangs. Chilpancingo, a city of around 280,000, has long been a battleground for turf wars between rival factions, including the Ardillos and Tlacos.
Arcos, who had just begun his term, had been actively engaged in disaster relief efforts following last month’s Hurricane John, which caused extensive flooding in the region. In the hours leading up to his death, his social media accounts featured him meeting with local relief workers and residents.
Senator Alejandro Moreno described Arcos and Tapia as “young and honest officials who sought progress for their community.” He called on the federal government to take charge of the investigation, citing Guerrero’s long-standing issues with lawlessness.
Arcos’s political party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), condemned the violence, demanding justice and safety for the people of Guerrero, who “do not deserve to live in fear.”
The state has experienced a surge in political violence, especially during election seasons, with at least six candidates killed in the lead-up to Mexico’s June 2 elections.
Since the government’s militarized crackdown on drug cartels began in 2006, over 450,000 people have been murdered, with thousands more missing as the violence continues to devastate Mexico.
