Tragic murder of Chilpancingo mayor underscores cartel violence
Alejandro Arcos, the mayor of the Mexican city of Chilpancingo, was brutally murdered just six days after taking office. The details of this crime are horrifying.
Chilpancingo is a city with a population of 280,000 in south-central Mexico, plagued by drug cartels. On Sunday, 6 October, a car was found on one of the streets, revealing a corpse with a severed head. It was placed on the roof of the vehicle. Photos appeared online. We do not publish them due to their shocking nature.
As it turned out, the mutilated body belongs to Alejandro Arcos - the 43-year-old mayor of Chilpancingo, who took office only six days ago.
The death of the young politician was confirmed by Evelyn Salgado, the governor of the state of Guerrero. "His loss plunges the entire Guerrero society into mourning and fills us with indignation," said Salgado, as quoted by Reuters. The office of the Attorney General of the state of Guerrero reported that it is investigating the murder.
Upon assuming office, Arcos immediately set to work. He spent his final days overseeing repairs to the damage caused last month by Hurricane John.
Another tragic death of a Mexican politician
The death of the mayor is another dramatic event that has shaken the local community. Just three days earlier, Francisco Tapia, the city council secretary, was shot dead. "They were young and honest officials who aimed for progress for their community," wrote Senator Alejandro Moreno on social media.
As the BBC reminds us, local politicians in Mexico often fall victim to violence related to the activities of drug cartels. Guerrero is one of the states most affected by this problem, as it lies on trafficking routes. In connection with the June elections, at least six candidates for public office were murdered in Guerrero.
The city of Chilpancingo has long been a battleground for influence between two drug gangs: Ardillos and Tlacos.
Enough of the violence and impunity. Residents of Guerrero do not deserve to live in fear - appealed the party to which the mayor of Chilpancingo belonged, on social media.
