Four mayors in Mexico have sought protection from federal authorities following the death of a city mayor who was beheaded just days after taking office, a local official said on Oct. 8.
Alejandro Arcos was killed less than a week after being sworn in on Sept. 30 as mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero state. His murder sparked fears after photos of his severed head, placed on top of a pickup truck, circulated on social media.
Mexican Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch told reporters on Oct. 8 that four mayors from the states of Guerrero and Guanajuato have requested protection.
Garcia Harfuch said that the investigation into the mayor’s murder determined that Arcos had gone to a private meeting without any security escort prior to his death.
“We know that he was going to a specific meeting, that he was not accompanied by someone. Communication was lost in a community, and ... hours later, the mayor’s body was found,” he said.
It remains unclear who was responsible for the mayor’s killing.
Garcia Harfuch stated that Arcos did not formally request extra protection, despite reports claiming that the mayor had told local media that he wanted security.
Alejandro Moreno, leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, said on Oct. 7 that the city government’s secretary, Francisco Tapia, was also murdered three days before Arcos was assassinated.
Moreno said that he would ask the attorney general’s office to lead the investigation into both murders, citing “the situation of ungovernability” in Guerrero.
Guerrero Gov. Evelyn Salgado Pined said on Oct. 7 that she had instructed security officials to increase surveillance and operations in various areas of Chilpancingo.
Chilpancingo is dominated by two warring drug gangs, the Ardillos and the Tlacos. Last year, the Ardillos openly staged a demonstration, commandeered a police armored vehicle, and abducted police officers and state officials to win the release of their detained leaders.
