The mayor of a crime-ridden city in Mexico has been killed less than a week after taking office, marking a tragic continuation of violence targeting politicians in the country.
The assassination of Alejandro Arcos, who assumed the mayoralty of Chilpancingo on October 1, occurred just days after the city government’s secretary, Francisco Tapia, was also fatally shot. This incident has intensified concerns over security in a nation that recently experienced its deadliest general election in history.
On Monday, Mexico’s newly elected President Claudia Sheinbaum described Arcos’ killing as “unfortunate” and announced that her security cabinet would address the nation’s security issues in more detail on Tuesday.
“We will roll out the general strategy. We will work in some states with more presence, intelligence, and investigation in collaboration with the governors,” Sheinbaum stated during her daily press conference.
Chilpancingo is the capital of Guerrero, a state notorious for violent crime and also home to the tourist hotspot, Acapulco.
Guerrero’s state governor, Evelyn Salgado, condemned the murder and pledged to bring those guilty to justice. “His loss is mourned by the entire Guerrero society and fills us with indignation,” Salgado posted on social media.
However, the violence faced by Mexican politicians is widespread and not limited to Guerrero. This situation was highlighted during the general election on June 2, which led Sheinbaum to power.
With 20,000 electoral positions at stake, the scale of violence aimed at influencing the vote has been unprecedented.
During the campaign, at least 34 political candidates were assassinated by criminal organizations. Tragically, hours after Sheinbaum’s election win, a female mayor in western Mexico was also murdered.
A report from Integralia Consultants indicated that politically motivated attacks in Mexico primarily focus on the municipal level. This is largely due to the fact that mayors can provide impunity through their connections with law enforcement and local economies.
The report also highlights that criminal gangs often fund campaigns during election seasons, using intimidation and violence to ensure cooperation from political candidates.