Mexico is once again in the grip of a gang war between rival drug cartels vying for control of the local economy.
The latest victim of the spate of violence has been the newly elected mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital of the southern Mexican state of Guerrero, Alejandro Arcos Catalan, who was assassinated six days after assuming office.
Mayor Alejandro Arcos Catalan of Mexico Found Decapitated
He was killed in the most gruesome manner; he was decapitated, and his head was left on the roof of a car.
Alejandro Moreno, president of the opposition party PRI, lamented,
“They have murdered our mayor of Chilpancingo, Alejandro Arcos, and just three days ago, the secretary of the same city hall, Francisco Tapia, met the same fate. It had been less than a week since they took office.”
His assassination came only five days after the inauguration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who is scheduled to present her national security plan on Tuesday.
The change in administration occurred amid escalating violence between two rival drug gangs, the Ardillos and the Tlacos. Alejandro Arcos Catalan’s decapitated body was recovered from his truck in Chilpancingo, located in Guerrero state, which has been the battleground between the two rival drug gangs, the Ardillos and the Tlacos.
Present mayor is a Staunch Critic Of drug cartels
The previous mayor’s term came to an abrupt end after leaked audio and video surfaced, which revealed conversations with gang leaders. Arcos, aged 43, was a staunch critic of any political links with drug cartels, and in an earlier interview, he had stated that he would never negotiate with any criminal groups.
Immediately after Alejandro Arcos Catalan assumed office as the mayor, the city was hit by devastating rainfall caused by Gulf of Mexico hurricanes. Arcos was actively involved in the relief efforts and was photographed on Sunday while delivering aid to affected communities. He had also stated on social media that his first priority would be to reopen roads and help those communities most affected by the devastating rainfall. Tragically, he was assassinated a few hours later. The attorney general’s office in Guerrero has termed the assassination as targeted killings, though no group has claimed responsibility for the killing.
Also Read: Brandon Dillard, CEO of A-List Smiles, Charged in Atlanta for Unlicensed Dentistry Practice
