Mexican Mayor Murdered Days After Taking Office 

Alejandro Arcos, the newly appointed mayor of Chilpancingo in Mexico’s Guerrero state, was murdered less than a week after taking office. Arcos, who had been in the position for only six days, was found dead on Sunday. Guerrero’s governor, Evelyn Salgado, expressed sorrow and outrage over the killing, calling it an act that “fills us with indignation.”

Arcos’s murder occurred just three days after the city’s newly appointed government secretary, Francisco Tapia, was shot dead. Authorities have yet to release any details about the investigation or possible suspects, but Guerrero, plagued by drug cartel violence, has long been a hotspot for such crimes. Cartels have killed numerous politicians across Mexico, with Guerrero being one of the worst-affected states due to its strategic location on the Pacific coast, a prime smuggling route.

Unverified social media posts showed images of what appeared to be Arcos’s remains before authorities confirmed his death. His social media activity during his short term included updates on disaster relief efforts following Hurricane John, which caused severe flooding in the region. Hours before his death, Arcos had posted pictures of meetings with relief workers and residents.

Mexican senator Alejandro Moreno called for federal authorities to take control of the investigation, citing Guerrero’s “ungovernability.” He described Arcos and Tapia as “young and honest officials who sought progress for their community.”

The Institutional Revolutionary Party, to which Arcos belonged, demanded justice, stating, “Enough of violence and impunity! The people of Guerrero do not deserve to live in fear.”

Guerrero, long embroiled in turf wars between rival drug gangs, including the Ardillos and Tlacos, has seen increasing violence. In the lead-up to Mexico’s June 2 elections, at least six candidates for public office were killed in the state. Since 2006, when the government deployed the army to combat drug trafficking, Mexico has seen over 450,000 murders and tens of thousands of disappearances across the country.

Will the Sea Cucumber Industry Sink or Swim? A Look at Its Future Amidst Overfishing Concerns