The mayor of a Mexican city hit by drug violence has been killed less than a week after taking office.
Alejandro Arcos was found dead on Sunday in Chilpancingo, a city of about 280,000 people in the southwest of Guerrero state. He was the mayor for six days.
Evelyn Salgado, the state’s governor, said the city was mourning the “outrageous” murder. His death occurred three days after the shooting of the new city government secretary, Francisco Tapia.
Authorities have not released details of the investigation, or the suspects. However, Guerrero is one of the states most affected by drug violence and drug cartels have killed dozens of politicians across the country.
Authorities confirmed Arcos’ death after unconfirmed photos on social media revealed what appeared to be his remains.
Arcos’ social media records show he spent his days at the office directing disaster relief efforts Hurricane John last month, which caused severe flooding.
Photos were posted on his Facebook account hours before his death of meetings with aid workers and residents.
Alejandro Moreno, a Mexican senator, said Arcos and Tapia are “young and honest officials who want progress for their community”. He asked the federal authorities to control the investigation since Guerrero is “ungovernable”.
Arcos’s Institutional Revolution Party called for justice. “Enough of violence and impunity! The people of Guerrero do not deserve to live in fear,” said Twitter/X.
Politicians, especially at the local level, are often victims of bloodshed related to corruption and the multi-billion dollar drug trade.
Guerrero is one of the most affected states due to its location on the smuggling routes on the Pacific coast and Chilpancingo has long been the site of wars between two drug gangs, the Ardillos and the Tlacos.
At least six candidates for public office were killed in the state ahead of Mexico’s June 2 election.
More than 450,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands have gone missing across Mexico since the government sent in troops to fight drug trafficking in 2006.
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