Mexico: “Young and Honest” New Mayor of Chilpancingo Murdered Days After Taking Office

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The new mayor of Chilpancingo, a gang-controlled state capital in southern Mexico, has been brutally murdered less than one week after taking office, the Independent reports. Chilpancingo has long been plagued by feuds and the violence of two drug gangs, the Ardillos and the Tlacos.

Described as “young and honest” and keen to advance his community, Alejandro Arcos was sworn in as mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital city of Mexico’s Guerrero state, on Monday 30 September.

The Guerrero state prosecutor’s office confirmed on Sunday, October 6 that Arcos had been killed but did not provide details as to the manner of his death, the Independent reports.

Images of Arcos’ decapitated head left on a car in the street circulated on social media, although officials have not confirmed the manner of his death, the Independent said.

“Chilpancingo is a city so violent that a drug gang openly staged a demonstration, hijacked a government armored car and took police hostage in 2023 to win the release of arrested suspects,” the Independent noted in its report.

News of Arcos’ death followed news that the newly installed secretary of Chilpancingo city council had also been murdered three days earlier, the Independent said.

In a statement about the two deaths, Alejandro Moreno, leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party said: “They had been in office less than a week. They were young and honest public servants who were seeking progress for their community.”

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