The mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital of Mexico’s violence-ridden Guerrero state, was killed on Sunday, less than a week after assuming office. The state’s governor, Evelyn Salgado, confirmed the tragic news, adding to growing concerns over safety for public officials in the region.
Alejandro Arcos had been in office for just six days before his death in the city of approximately 280,000 people in southwestern Mexico. “His loss mourns the entire Guerrero society and fills us with indignation,” Governor Salgado expressed in a statement shared on social media.
The Guerrero state attorney general’s office has launched an investigation into Arcos’ murder. The grim news came after images circulated on WhatsApp, allegedly showing Arcos’ severed head placed atop a pick-up truck.
This tragedy followed closely on the heels of another brutal killing in Chilpancingo, where the newly appointed city government secretary, Francisco Tapia, was shot dead just three days prior to Arcos’ murder.
“They were young and honest officials who sought progress for their community,” Senator Alejandro Moreno commented on social media, calling on the federal attorney general’s office to lead investigations into the deaths. Moreno, who heads the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), also emphasized the urgent need for federal involvement, citing the state’s ongoing struggle with lawlessness and violence.
Guerrero has become a deadly place for both elected officials and journalists, with at least six candidates for public office killed ahead of Mexico’s June 2 elections this year. Arcos’ recent social media activity showed him overseeing disaster relief efforts following Hurricane John’s impact, which brought severe flooding to the coastal resort of Acapulco and neighboring areas. His untimely death has sent shockwaves through the state, highlighting the serious challenges local leaders face in combating violence.
