MEXICO CITY, Oct 8 (Askume) – The mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero state that has suffered violent attacks, was shot dead while attending a meeting outside the city, Mexico’s security minister said on Tuesday.
Alejandro Arcos, of Mexico’s main opposition coalition, took office six days ago. Photos circulated via WhatsApp and Mexican media on Sunday showed a severed head, which appeared to be Arcos’, on the roof of a pickup truck.
This horrific incident occurred just as new president Claudia Sheinbaum was due to arriveDays before he unveils his security strategy aimed at tackling violent crime .
Security Minister Omar Garcia Hufaux said at a news conference that investigations showed Arcos left Chilpancingo in a pickup truck and headed to nearby Petaqueiras without a driver or escort.
Garcia Hafuch said Arcos did not request protection from the federal government.
“We knew he was going to a special meeting, but there was no one with him. The community lost contact and… a few hours later the mayor’s body was found,” García Herfáquez said.
When reporters asked who Arcos was meeting, the minister declined to provide details, saying it was an open investigation.
“We need to preserve a lot of information on this topic for investigation,” Harfuchs said.
The Mexican newspaper Reforma, citing federal government sources, reported that Arcos had met members of Los Ardillos, a criminal group active in the state of Guerrero, hours before his death.
Arcos’ funeral was held on Monday, with mourners lining the streets and tossing rose petals as her coffin was carried through the city.
The state of Guerrero, which includes Chilpancingo, has seen similar gruesome beheading murders before as cartel members used similar tactics to send messages of intimidation and control.
As recently as 2023, violence from warring gangs crippled public transportation and shut down businesses in Chilpancingo. After Arcos’ murder, local schools closed.
(This story has been modified to include Alejandro Arcos’ full name in paragraph 2)
