Ongoing turf wars between crime groups in the state of Guerrero have produced waves of violence this year and the conflicts claimed 11 more victims this week in the state capital of Chilpancingo The bodies were found in an abandoned pick-up truck that had been set ablaze on the outskirts of the capital on Wednesday night Family members identified five of the victims — including three minors — on Thursday and the local authorities confirmed they were part of a group of 17 who went missing last month the Defense Ministry (Sedena) announced that the criminal organization known as “Los Ardillos” had kidnapped the victims This pronouncement came a day after the Army said it was undertaking an all-out search to find the kidnapping victims and two days after one of the missing — a 14-year-old boy — “confessed” under obvious duress that the missing group was acting as look-outs for a rival crime gang Guerrero is one of Mexico’s most violent states partly due to its location on Pacific coast smuggling routes Long a focal point of marijuana and poppy cultivation Guerrero serves as a key transit point for drug shipments traveling north to the United States and criminal organizations use the port of Acapulco to receive shipments of cocaine from South America has long been the scene of turf battles between two drug gangs a publication specializing in organized crime in Latin America The intrusion of the “La Familia Michoacana” gang has heightened tensions producing the latest round of killings in the state Insight Crime wrote in February that “extortion rackets now extend across a variety of public sectors in Guerrero and even small stores selling everyday items.” Those who refuse to pay up or follow rules sometimes find themselves the targets of violence Since the start of 2024, Guerrero has seen an outbreak of murders, which initially targeted taxi and bus drivers — eight of the former and one bus driver were gunned down during the first two months of the year. In October, four more taxi drivers were killed in Acapulco The state has also seen a spike in political violence. At least six candidates for public office were killed in Guerrero during the run-up to the national elections on June 2, according to the BBC. And last month, the mayor of Chilpancingo was murdered only a week after being sworn in when 11 Chautipan residents  traveled to the municipality of Chilapa to sell dinnerware When family members lost contact with them Several others went in search of the missing group residents of Chautipan staged a protest in front of the state Attorney General’s office (FGE) that lasted six days Barrera — the 14-year-old boy — was seen bound and injured appearing to recite a message admitting that the members of his group were involved in drug trafficking State authorities immediately offered a 1 million peso reward for information that led to the safe return of the victims the Army announced it was sending 400 troops and three military helicopters to carry out a search and rescue operation authorities found four bodies in an abandoned car in Acapulco but the FGE has yet to release information regarding their identity Chilpancingo authorities were alerted to the abandoned Silverado pick-up truck in which the 11 bodies were found While the FGE has publicly blamed “Los Ardillos” for the murders one attorney cited by the newspaper Reforma accused authorities of ensuring impunity for the culprits Investigators did not isolate the crime scene and towed the vehicle to FGE headquarters before forensic scientists arrived Such failure to follow due process prevents effective prosecution and fuels allegations that some officials are on the payroll of the cartels. The magazine Proceso — citing data from the national statistics institute, INEGI — reported that more than half of Guerrero’s FGE officials failed background checks ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Relatives of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos carry his coffin during his funeral service Supporters of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos place candles and flowers at the entrance of the municipal building one week after he took office in Chilpancingo Relatives of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos cry during his funeral service A supporter of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos prays at the entrance of the municipal building one week after he took office in Chilpancingo Supporters of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos attend his funeral Mass one week after he took office Supporters of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos throw flowers during his funeral service Police and Mexico’s National guard filled the streets of Chilpancingo in Guerrero state Sunday after the Mayor was killed just a week after he took office MEXICO CITY (AP) — Relatives on Monday buried the mayor of a state capital in southern Mexico who was killed just one week after he took office Photos of the crime scene shared on social media showed Mayor Alejandro Arcos’ severed head had been left on the roof of a pickup truck Authorities did not immediately confirm the authenticity of the images there were signs his head had been reattached by forensic examiners or mortuary staff Chilpancingo is the capital of Guerrero state Arcos had said in an interview with local media shortly before his death that he wanted extra protection but it was not clear if any formal request for that had been made to state officials The state prosecutors’ office issued a statement Sunday confirming Arcos had been killed the national leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party lamented Arcos’ killing and said Monday “we will not allow his death to go unpunished.” A few days before Arcos’ death the newly installed secretary of the city council had also been murdered “They had been in office less than a week,” Moreno wrote on his social media accounts “They were young and honest public servants who were seeking progress for their community.” A previous mayor was caught on video apparently holding a meeting with leaders of one of the gangs at a restaurant She was subsequently expelled from her party federal officials said a demonstration held by hundreds of people in Chilpancingo that month had been organized by the Ardillos gang to win the release of two gang leaders arrested for drugs and weapons possession The demonstrators largely blocked all traffic on the highway between Mexico City and Acapulco for two days battled security forces and commandeered a police armored truck and used it to ram down the gates of the state legislature building The demonstrators abducted 10 members of the state police and National Guard as well as three state and federal officials and held them hostage to enforce their demands before releasing them Scopes arrested for teaching evolution in TN public schools the capital city of Guerrero in coastal Mexico the head of the recently sworn-in mayor was placed on top of a white van an army captain and potential candidate to head the city's security ministry News of Arcos Catalan's brutal murder was broken by Alejandro Moreno the Party of Institutional Revolution (PRI) Moreno condemned the murders of Catalan and Tapia and called for justice from Mexican authorities "They had been in office for less than a week—young and honest officials seeking progress for their community Our condolences and solidarity go out to their families Given the situation of ungovernability in Guerrero we will be asking the FGR to take over the investigations into both assassinations," he wrote in his X account Mexico experienced the most violent electoral process in its history with Guerrero emerging as the most dangerous state for politicians President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed sorrow over Catalan's murder and said that investigations were underway "All necessary investigations are being conducted and we are collaborating with the state prosecutor's office We are assessing whether it is necessary to transfer the case to the Attorney General's Office to determine the motive," she said ALABAMA - New information is surfacing about the murder of Alejandro Arcos Catalán, the Mexican mayor of Chilpancingo 6 as violence spreads throughout the country with Arcos Catalán's death an illustrative example The crime took place just three days after Francisco Tapia Less than a week after being sworn in as mayor of Guerrero's capital city Arcos Catalán was murdered in what seemed to be an attack from cartels and criminal groups But according to new information being revealed around Arcos Catalán's case the former Chilpancingo mayor had requested Guerrero's Governor for better protection due to the state's current feeling of ungovernability While talking to renowned journalist Ciro Gómez Leyva at his radio show "Por La Mañana" on Oct Arcos Catalán used the platform to call for better security and protection for officials and civilians alike in Chilpancingo When asked about the death of his general secretary Arcos Catalán said that "Francisco Gonzalo Tapia Gutiérrez was always an honorable man one who had always dedicated himself to serve the community and one that did not have a single problem in his life." Salgado for more protection for politicians and members of his cabinet "We have always talked about a project of peace That has been our banner...and that is what we aspire to do We are not people looking for conflicts," Arcos Catalán said Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged to bring those responsible for the murder and beheading of Arcos Catalán to justice "We are conducting the necessary investigations to learn the motive and detain those responsible. Tomorrow, we will announce a general public safety strategy," Sheinbaum said Monday, as per Border Report "We are collaborating with state prosecutors to see if it's necessary the (federal) Attorney General's Office takes over the case and find out the motive," she added the state of Guerrero was known for its beach resort town of Acapulco and its beautiful Pacific Ocean coastlines But the current state of impunity in some parts of Mexico have transformed Guerrero into one of the most dangerous states in the country Guerrero recording 1,890 total murders in the state last year The situation has escalated to the point in which the U.S State Department is now advising Americans to completely avoid the state due to the high volume of crime and violence The mayor of a town in southern Mexico was brutally murdered less than a week after he took office as photos circulated of his severed head sitting on a pickup truck just six days after he was elected the mayor of Chilpancingo a city around 170 miles south of Mexico City with a population of around 280,000 Officials confirmed the murder from the gory photos of his decapitated head which were shared on messaging platform WhatsApp this week On Monday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said investigations into Arcos' death were underway by the secretaries of security defense and the Marines to uncover a motive and catch those responsible "We are going to fortify the intelligence investigative capabilities of the Mexican government," she told reporters Chilpancingo is the capital of the violence-ridden state of Guerrero one of the deadliest for politicians and journalists Six political candidates in the state were killed in the run-up to elections in June More: With Claudia Sheinbaum as president, what does it mean to be Jewish in Mexico? vowed to bring the killers to justice in a post on X The state's attorney general had already initiated an investigation into the killing "His loss has saddened all of Guerrero society and fills us with indignation," she wrote Arcos had promised a "renewal project" that would return peace to the city "Together we'll build a Chilpancingo of peace a Chilpancingo that will be the home our children deserve," he said Relatives, friends, and Chilpancingo citizens gathered and shed tears as Arcos' coffin was carried through the city streets during a funeral ceremony on Monday, the Chilpancingo Sun reported Contributing: Diana Garcia for the Arizona Republic; Reuters MEXICO CITY (TNND) — The newly-elected mayor of a state capital in southern Mexico was killed less than one week after he took office with photos circulating online appearing to show his decapitated head Mayor Alejandro Arcos was sworn in as the mayor of Chilpancingo "Peace is the path that we must all follow to build a more just and secure society," he said Wednesday he was dead.The state prosecutors’ office issued a statement Sunday confirming Arcos had been killed It wasn't immediately know who is responsible for his death Gruesome crime scene images were posted on X which had been left on the roof of a vehicle Photos show people praying and crying over his open coffin with his face appearing to be covered in glass Moreno described Arcos as an honest man who wascommitted to the well-being of his people Arcos' homicide comes just a few days after the newly installed secretary of the city council was killed Chilpancingo has long been the scene of bloody turf battles between two drug gangs The battle has resulted in dozens of killings and some high-profile scandals The top security official in Chilpancingo was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the murder of the mayor of the Guerrero state capital last month A judge in Chilpancingo had issued a warrant for his arrest was killed just six days after he was sworn in as mayor of Chilpancingo His decapitated body was found inside his pickup truck in the state capital a former head of the Guerrero Prosecutor’s Office for Serious Crimes denied he committed the crime during a court hearing on Tuesday asserting that he had no motive to commit a crime against the mayor Reyes also said he knew “absolutely nothing” about the murder of Arcos and didn’t know why he was arrested “This is a political matter,” he said The Chilpancingo government acknowledged the arrest of the security chief in a statement and expressed its “firm respect” for the investigations into his alleged involvement in the murder of Arcos Just hours before Reyes’ arrest, federal Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said that the mayor was apparently killed by the same gang responsible for the murders in Chilpancingo last week of 11 market vendors but a local human rights activist said Los Ardillos was responsible for killing the market vendors The arrest of Reyes suggests he may have colluded with Los Ardillos which is involved in a long-running and extremely violent turf war with the Los Tlacos gang in Chilpancingo The rival criminal groups are vying for full control over a range of illegal activities including drug trafficking and extortion If Reyes is convicted of murdering the former mayor it would be “a stinging rebuke for a policy adopted by cities across Mexico of hiring retired military officers for top local police jobs on the assumption that they are less prone to corruption,” AP reported Arcos’ murder came just three days after Chilpancingo government secretary was shot dead in the center of the state capital the former director of the Special Forces Unit of the Guerrero state police He was to become security minister in the state capital during the mayorship of Arcos but the south is seeing elevated levels of violence as well Some recent cases involve a famous music band as well as attacks on members of the armed forces Politicians are now among those being targeted at the moment Less than a week after swearing to protect citizens of Chilpancingo Alejandro Arcos was murdered in what seemed to be an attack from cartels and criminal groups Local media reported that Arcos was decapitated but so far there has been no official information about the politician's death After authorities confirmed Arcos' death on Oct 6 Guerrero state governor Evelyn Salgado wrote on social media that his death "fills us with indignation" as well as reiterating her compromise to continue looking for a peaceful solution to the ongoing violence problem in the state He instruido al secretario de Seguridad Pública del Estado intensificar los operativos de vigilancia y proximidad social en diversos puntos de Chilpancingo.Al pueblo guerrerense le reitero el compromiso de mi gobierno de trabajar en coordinación con las autoridades de los… According to reports from Reuters photos that circulated on WhatsApp showed a severed head on top of what appeared to be Arcos' vehicle but the news agency could not independently verify the photos' authenticity His death comes just three days after the new city government's secretary Amid the feeling of "ungovernability" in Guerrero Senator and head of Mexico's PRI political party called on the federal attorney general's office to lead the investigation into both murders "They were young and honest officials who sought progress for their community," Moreno wrote on social media This year has been a particularly violent year in Mexico for politicians and local government officials At least six candidates for public office were killed in Guerrero in the run-up to Mexico's June 2 elections at least 24 politicians have been murdered according to official figures with Guerrero recording 1,890 total murders in the state Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged to stick to her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador's strategy known as "hugs not bullets" as a way to use social policy to combat crime at its roots Sheinbaum is expected to unveil her security plan on Oct Gustavo Alarcon is sworn-in as mayor of Chilpancingo days after former Mayor Alejandro Arcos was killed less than a week after taking office People demand justice for murdered Mayor Alejandro Arcos in Chilpancingo People attend a march to demand justice for murdered Mayor Alejandro Arcos in Chilpancingo had been elected as an alternate on the same ticket as deceased Mayor Alejandro Arcos in the June election 1 in the violence-wracked city of Chilpancingo the capital of the southern state of Guerrero But his beheaded body was found in a pickup truck Sunday; his head had been placed on the vehicle’s roof Two rival drug gangs are fighting to control the city Alarcón took the oath of office with a minimal security detail of a handful of police officers Thursday He pledged to “work for the good of all” and fight the violence that has gripped Chilpancingo for years Arcos had told local media he needed more protection but officials said no formal request had been received State and federal governments can offer mayors bulletproof vehicles additional bodyguards and emergency alert systems It was not clear if Alarcón had been granted that kind of protection federal Public Safety Secretary Omar García Harfuch said four mayors from other towns in Mexico had requested protection on Monday The requests came from Guerrero and another violence-plagued state The situation in Guanajuato is so bad that ahead of the country’s June elections at least four mayoral candidates were killed former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador— who refused to confront the gangs — said he approved of such talks “Priests and pastors and members of all the churches have participated I think it is very good,” said López Obrador The decapitated body of Alejandro Arcos Catalán was found inside a pickup truck in the Villa del Roble neighborhood of Chilpancingo and his voter ID was found with his remains was sworn in as mayor last Monday after winning the mayoral election in June as a candidate for an alliance made up of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) the National Action Party (PAN) and the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) Just hours before he was found dead, the mayor visited areas of Chilpancingo affected by Hurricane John, which caused significant damage and claimed at least 23 lives in Guerrero His murder came just three days after Chilpancingo government secretary Arcos described the killing of his colleague as “very painful” and “very regrettable.” “We demand justice so that this crime doesn’t go unpunished,” the mayor said Authorities are now investigating his murder as well The Guerrero Attorney General’s Office (FGE) said in a statement on Sunday that it had opened an investigation into the murder of Arcos It also said that investigative police and forensic experts attended the scene of the crime to collect evidence Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado condemned the crime and said that the death of the mayor “places the entire society of Guerrero into mourning and fills us with anger.” “I have instructed the state public security minister to intensify operations of vigilance and social proximity at various points in Chilpancingo. To the people of Guerrero, I reiterate the commitment of my government to work in coordination with the authorities of the different levels of government to guarantee peace and governability in Guerrero,” she wrote Senator Alejandro Moreno, the national president of the PRI, acknowledged the murders of Arcos and Tapia in a post to X “They had been in their positions less than a week honest officials who sought progress for their community Our condolences to and solidarity with their families,” he wrote In addition to the murders of Arcos and Tapia Hernández and a woman identified only as Wendy were shot dead while traveling in a vehicle in the state capital on Sept Hernández was to become minister of security in Chilpancingo during the mayorship of Arcos Esta es la ENTREVISTA que Ciro (@CiroGomezL) le hizo este viernes al alcalde de Chilpancingo, Alejandro Arcos. En ella, el edil pidió que se reforzara su seguridad y la de su equipo: “Desde luego que sí. Lo pido y la de mi equipo de trabajo”. #PorLaMañana pic.twitter.com/yx7enJliUc — Grupo Fórmula (@Radio_Formula) October 7, 2024 was expelled from the Morena party after it came to light that she had met with Celso Ortega Jiménez the alleged leader of the Ardillos crime group The ex-mayor took to Facebook on Sunday to call for justice for the murder of Arcos who she described as a “colleague” with whom she “shared a sincere social struggle.” During the campaign ahead of this year’s mayoral election in Chilpancingo the Morena and Citizens Movement candidates reported that members of an organized crime group prevented them from carrying out campaign activities in certain parts of the state capital The Associated Press reported on Sunday that “Chilpancingo has long been the scene of bloody turf battles between two drug gangs “The battle has resulted in dozens of gruesome slayings,” the news agency added Guerrero, whose mountainous areas are home to opium poppy and marijuana crops, is one of Mexico’s poorest and most violent states. In 2023, it ranked sixth for total homicides among the 32 federal entities, with 1,720 murders, according to national statistics agency INEGI A significant number of organized crime groups operate in Guerrero, including La Familia Michoacana, the Tlacos, the Ardillos, the Rojos and the Guerreros Unidos, which allegedly abducted the 43 trainee teachers who disappeared in Iguala in 2014 Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article The governor of the southern state of Guerrero said assailants fatally shot the organizer of the annual Christmas and New Year’s fair in the state capital of Chilpancingo. Gov. Evelyn Salgado called the Christmas Eve killing of Martín Ramírez Ruíz “an unacceptable act that will not go unpunished.” Salgado wrote on her social media accounts that state prosecutors were investigating the crime. There was no immediate information on the motive, but gangs gain much of their income extorting money from local businesses and routinely kill those who refuse to pay. In a separate statement, state prosecutors said that another person was killed along with Ramírez Ruíz, and that a third person in the crowd gathered outside a church was wounded in the attack. The gunmen had apparently waded into the crowd and directly targeted Ramírez Ruíz. Ramírez Ruíz was the head of the civic group that for almost two centuries has organized an arts, food and handicrafts fair that runs from roughly Christmas to Jan. 7. The fair also honors the local patron saint, St. Matthew. Two rival drug gangs, the Tlacos and the Ardillos, are fighting for control of the city of Chilpancingo, and violence against officials and residents there has reached grisly levels. In November, a former prosecutor and local police official was arrested in connection with the decapitation of the city’s mayor on Oct. 6. Mayor Alejandro Arcos was killed just a week after he took office. Officials had blamed the killing on one of the gangs. The mayor’s body was found in a pickup truck, with his severed head placed on the roof of the vehicle, an apparent message from the gang. The same gang is thought to be responsible for killing 11 market vendors, including four boys, in late October. The vendors, members of an extended family, were abducted as they traveled to sell their wares. Their bodies were found dumped in the bed of a pickup truck on an avenue in Chilpancingo. Chilpancingo, a city of about 300,000, is so completely dominated by gangs that in 2023, one of them staged a demonstration of hundreds of people, hijacked a government armored car, blocked a major highway and took police hostage to win the release of arrested suspects. Violence in Guerrero has reached such unprecedented levels that earlier this year, Roman Catholic bishops announced they had helped arrange a truce in another part of the state between two warring drug cartels. World & Nation Hollywood Inc. Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado said in a statement shared on social media: "The entire Guerrero society mourns his loss has been killed less than a week after taking office The mayor of the violence-plagued state was killed on Sunday (Oct 6) confirmed the state's governor in a post on social media pictures of what appears to be his severed head on top of a pickup truck have been circulated the news agency was unable to verify the authenticity of the photos Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado said in a statement shared on social media "The entire Guerrero society mourns his loss Alejandro Arcos's death comes just three days after the new city government's secretary Also read | Hamas praises Oct 7 attack on Israel, says it shattered 'illusions the enemy had created for itself'. Watch! Senator Alejandro Moreno said: "They were young and honest officials who sought progress for their community." The Guerrero state attorney general's office said it was investigating the murder Given "the situation of ungovernability in Guerrero," Moreno has called on the federal attorney general's office to lead the investigation into the murders of the two political leaders Also read | Milton strengthens into hurricane, Florida braces for impact The Mayor's party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party, has denounced the "cowardly crime" and has called for justice. "Enough of violence and impunity! The people of Guerrero do not deserve to live in fear," said the party on the social media platform X, as reported by AFP. In recent months, Guerrero has emerged as one of the deadliest cities for politicians and journalists. Given the city's location along the Pacific coast, it is one of the Mexican states most affected by drug cartel violence. Ahead of Mexico's June 2 elections, at least six political candidates were killed in the state. The mayor of a state capital in southern Mexico has been killed just one week after he took office, officials said on Sunday. Alejandro Arcos was sworn in on Monday last week as mayor of Chilpancingo, a city so violent that a drug gang openly staged a demonstration, hijacked a government armored car and took police hostage last year to win the release of arrested suspects. Chilpancingo is the capital of Guerrero state, where Acapulco is located. The state prosecutors’ office issued a statement on Sunday confirming Arcos had been killed, but provided no details. Alejandro Moreno, the leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party lamented Arcos’ killing and said the newly installed secretary of the city council had also been murdered three days earlier. “They had been in office less than a week,” Moreno wrote on social media. “They were young and honest public servants who were seeking progress for their community.” Chilpancingo has long been the scene of bloody turf battles between two drug gangs, the Ardillos and the Tlacos. The battle has resulted in dozens of gruesome slayings and some high-profile scandals. A previous mayor was caught on video apparently holding a meeting with leaders of one of the gangs at a restaurant. She was subsequently expelled from her party. Federal officials in July last year said that a demonstration held by hundreds of people in Chilpancingo that month had been organized by the Ardillos gang to win the release of two gang leaders arrested for drugs and weapons possession. The demonstrators blocked all traffic on the highway between Mexico City and Acapulco for two days, battled security forces, and commandeered a police armored truck and used it to ram down the gates of the state legislature building. The demonstrators abducted 10 members of the state police and National Guard, as well as three state and federal officials, and held them hostage to enforce their demands before releasing them. Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Photos circulated online claim to show the mayor’s head left on a truck in the street in Chilpancingo I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The new mayor of a state capital in southern Mexico has been killed just one week after he took office The news comes after claims on social media that the decapitated head of Alejandro Arcos who was sworn in last Monday as mayor of Chilpancingo 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 Chilpancingo is the capital of Guerrero state, where Acapulco is located. The state prosecutors’ office issued a statement Sunday confirming Arcos had been killed, but provided no details. The official confirmation came after photos circulated on messaging app WhatsApp depicting a severed head on top of a pick-up truck, appearing to be that of Arcos. The photos could not independently verified. Alejandro Moreno, the national leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, lamented Arcos' killing and said the newly installed secretary of the city council had also been murdered three days earlier. “They had been in office less than a week,” Moreno wrote on his social media accounts. “They were young and honest public servants who were seeking progress for their community.” Chilpancingo has long been the scene of bloody turf battles between two drug gangs, the Ardillos and the Tlacos. The battle has resulted in dozens of gruesome killings and some high-profile scandals. In July 2023, federal officials said a demonstration held by hundreds of people in Chilpancingo that month had been organized by the Ardillos gang to win the release of two gang leaders arrested for drugs and weapons possession. The demonstrators largely blocked all traffic on the highway between Mexico City and Acapulco for two days, battled security forces and commandeered a police armored truck and used it to ram down the gates of the state legislature building. President Claudia Sheinbaum will present her strategy for confronting Mexico’s dire security situation on Tuesday. Sheinbaum, inaugurated as Mexico’s first woman president less than a week ago, is expected to unveil a policy that prioritizes reestablishing law and order in the most deadly areas plagued by violence linked to drug cartels and organized crime. The first phase of Sheinbaum’s plan aims to reduce homicides and other serious crime in 10 areas that make up at least a quarter of homicides linked to organized crime, including the dangerous cities of Colima, Tijuana, Acapulco and Celaya, according to a member of Sheinbaum’s security cabinet who declined to be identified due to not being authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The murder of Arcos was under investigation to find out the motive and make the “corresponding arrests,” Sheinbaum said in her regular morning news conference on Monday. She added her security plan would include better coordination with state governors and attorneys general offices. Sending the National Guard to the area was a possibility, she said. Mexico is exceptionally deadly for political candidates and officials, who are routinely targeted by organized crime. The country’s most recent elections, in which Sheinbaum won the presidency, were the bloodiest in the country’s modern history with 37 candidates assassinated leading up to the June 2 vote, several in brazen acts of public violence. These killings, and most other homicides in Mexico, rarely result in arrests and successful prosecutions. “There’s an issue with impunity in Mexico, and until that goes away, until those institutions are stronger, you’re just not going to be able to guarantee safety of candidates,” said Mike Ballard, director of intelligence at international security firm Global Guardian. Mexico’s new government will need to actively arrest and prosecute more top cartel officials if it hopes to truly stem the power of these groups, Ballard said. He pointed to the U.S. mafia and how its grip on society gradually dwindled after a series of arrests, convictions and lengthy prison sentences in the 1980s and 1990s. A supporter of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos prays at the entrance of the municipal building one week after he took office In 2023, a drug gang had staged a protest, seized a government armored vehicle, and held police officers hostage to secure the release of detained members. Senator Alejandro Moreno paid tribute to both officials on social media, describing them as "young and honest officials who sought progress for their community." The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), to which both Arcos and Tapia belonged, condemned this "cowardly crime" and demanded justice. Chilpancingo has been a battleground for two rival drug gangs, the Ardillos and the Tlacos, leading to several brutal killings and scandals. by JESSICA A. BOTELHO | The National News Desk MEXICO CITY (TNND) — The newly-elected mayor of a state capital in southern Mexico was killed less than one week after he took office, with photos circulating online appearing to show his decapitated head. Mayor Alejandro Arcos was sworn in as the mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero, on Sept. 30. "Peace is the path that we must all follow to build a more just and secure society," he said Wednesday. A few days later, he was dead.The state prosecutors’ office issued a statement Sunday confirming Arcos had been killed. It wasn't immediately know who is responsible for his death. Gruesome crime scene images were posted on X, showing his severed head, which had been left on the roof of a vehicle. His body appeared to be inside. Authorities did not immediately confirm the authenticity of the images, but at his funeral, there were signs his head had been reattached by forensic examiners or mortuary staff, according to The Associated Press. Arcos was laid to rest Monday. Photos show people praying and crying over his open coffin, with his face appearing to be covered in glass. Arcos had said in an interview with local media shortly before his death that he wanted extra protection, but it was not clear if any formal request for that had been made to state officials. Alejandro Moreno, the national leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, spoke out against Arcos' murder. Moreno described Arcos as an honest man who wascommitted to the well-being of his people. Arcos' homicide comes just a few days after the newly installed secretary of the city council was killed. Chilpancingo has long been the scene of bloody turf battles between two drug gangs, the Ardillos and the Tlacos. The battle has resulted in dozens of killings and some high-profile scandals. A mayor in Mexico was found decapitated and his severed head propped up on the roof of his car just six days after taking office in the city of Chilpancingo Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience Don't have an account? Create Account We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThe body of Alejandro Arcos was found inside his pickup truck on Sunday night while his head lay on top of the vehicle Residents were still reeling from last Thursday’s slaying of its newly appointed city council secretary Francisco Tapia “Young and honest officials who sought progress for their community,” he continued adding his condolences for the men’s families Moreno noted that “given the situation of ungovernability in Guerrero,” the city has requested that the state attorney general’s office probe both killings which confirmed they would be investigating Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Han asesinado a nuestro alcalde de Chilpancingo y hace apenas tres días al secretario de este mismo Ayuntamiento Funcionarios jóvenes y honestos que buscaban progreso para su comunidad vowing to hold accountable those responsible the capital of Guerrero and home to tourist hot spot Acapulco is notorious for its years of struggles with violent crime mostly due to conflicts between two rival drug gangs It noted that gangs often finance campaigns during election season intimidating candidates and violently intervening to compel politicians to cooperate with them At least six candidates for public offices were killed in Guerrero leading up to Mexico’s June elections was filmed allegedly holding a meeting with leaders of the gangs at a restaurant had visited Chilpancingo neighbourhoods and met with residents whose homes were damaged by Hurricane John He also appeared on a radio show that fateful day and called on the federal government to increase the presence of security forces in the city and expand protection for city government staffers after Tapia’s murder “We have always talked about a peace project, it has been our banner, our proposal and that is what we aspire to. We are not people of conflict.” transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account On a November afternoon, the walls are painted with skulls and streets littered with rotting marigolds — remnants of the latest festival, Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. But such colourful rituals do not attract visitors: behind the façade is a city paralysed by fear. All the more so after the recent, gruesome discovery of a headless body slumped in the passenger seat of his white Volkswagen Saveiro Robust pick-up truck. The head had been placed on the vehicle’s roof. Chilpancingo, capital of the Mexican state توّجت زيارة الدولة التي قام بها السلطان هيثم بن طارق، سلطان عُمان، إلى الجزائر يومي 4 و5 مايو 2025، ببيان مشترك، فيما يلي نصّه الكامل: “تلبية لدعوة كريمة من لدن رئيس الجمهورية الجزائرية الديمقراطية الشعبية، السيد عبد المجيد تبون، قام حضرة صاحب الجلالة، السلطان هيثم بن طارق، سلطان عمان، بزيارة دولة إلى الجزائر، يومي 04 و05 ماي 2025، مرفوقا بوفد رفيع المستوى في مستهل الزيارة، رحب السيد الرئيس عبد المجيد تبون بأخيه حضرة صاحب الجلالة،… ثمّن الرئيس الجزائري عبد المجيد تبون والسلطان هيثم بن طارق، سلطان عُمان إنشاء “الصندوق الجزائري… تظاهر آلاف المغاربة في مدينتي مكناس والدار البيضاء، احتجاجا على خيانة النظام المغربي للقضية الفلسطينية، من خلال تماديه في التطبيع مع الكيان… تشارك الجزائر في أشغال مؤتمر ومعرض CIM Connect 2025، الذي تحتضنه مدينة مونتريال الكندية، خلال الفترة الممتدة من 4 إلى 7… أجرى الرئيس الجزائري، عبد المجيد تبون، اليوم الاثنين، محادثات على انفراد مع سلطان عُمان، هيثم بن طارق، توسّعت بعدها لتشمل… أعلنت الجزائر، اليوم السبت، عن رفع حصتها من إنتاج النفط الخام بمقدار 9000 برميل يوميًا خلال شهر جوان المقبل، وذلك في إطار اتفاق الدول الثمانية لتحالف “أوبك+” على تنفيذ زيادة جماعية تدريجية في الإنتاج تقدّر… استقبل وزير الريـاضة السعودي، الأمير عبد العزيز بن تركي الفيصل، اليـوم الاثنين، النجم الجزائري ريـاض محرز وتشكيلة الأهلي السعودي بعد التتويج التاريخي… Print “The war against el narco will not return,” said President Claudia Sheinbaum who took office last week.Even as the president spoke ¡Justicia!” during the funeral cortege in Guerrero state for Chilpancingo Mayor Alejandro Arcos who was assassinated less than a week after taking office Arcos’ severed head was placed on the roof of his white pickup truck MEXICO CITY — Rejecting a renewed “war” against drug traffickers Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday unveiled her strategy to battle organized crime in a nation where each day brings word of new assassinations “The war against el narco will not return,” Sheinbaum, who took office last week Instead, she outlined a four-point strategy that emphasized intelligence-gathering, troop deployment, improved federal-state coordination and providing opportunities to dissuade impoverished young people from joining organized crime — which is among Mexico’s major employers. A centerpiece of the plan is doubling down on the often-criticized “hugs not bullets” strategy of Sheinbaum’s predecessor and mentor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. During his six-year term, López Obrador de-emphasized direct conflict with cartels and instead bolstered scholarships, job training, economic aid and other initiatives in a bid to provide alternative career paths for at-risk youth. The government views “as a priority ... reducing poverty, closing gaps of inequality and generating opportunities so that the young have access to a better quality of life,” said Omar García Harfuch, Sheinbaum’s secretary of security. More than 140 people have been killed in the last month in Culiacán as two factions of the Sinaloa compete to fill a power vacuum Critics called Sheinbaum’s plan vague and unlikely to deter violence in a nation where heavily armed gangs control vast swaths of territory and have expanded from cross-border drug smuggling to rackets such as extortion migrant smuggling and plundering of national resources but how they are going to do it isn’t clear,” said Erubiel Tirado a security expert at the Iberoamerican University in Mexico City It’s a collection of projected power points.” Most details of the new security strategy had already been leaked or sketched in broad terms by Sheinbaum, who was credited with reducing Mexico City’s crime rate during her previous tenure as mayor. But curbing criminality on a national level represents a much greater challenge: Organized crime is more deeply embedded elsewhere in the country than in the capital. Soldiers and civilians have been killed in separate incidents in recent months involving ‘narco mines’ planted in western Mexico Even as the president spoke, mourners chanting “¡Justicia! ¡Justicia!” marched through the streets of Chilpancingo, the capital of violence-stricken Guerrero state, during the funeral cortege for Alejandro Arcos, the mayor who was assassinated last weekend Meanwhile, a month of intra-cartel violence has nearly paralyzed Culiacán, capital of Sinaloa state and base of the Sinaloa cartel, the nation’s largest. How to tackle the violence and improve security nationwide is the most pressing problem that López Obrador left Sheinbaum. López Obrador had already ditched the “war” on cartels approach — a now discredited militarized campaign launched almost two decades ago that cost tens of thousands of lives but did little to blunt the power of organized crime. But he also greatly expanded the role of the Mexican armed forces, which now command the national guard, formerly under civilian control. Mexico vows to investigate after soldiers opened fire on a truck carrying U.S.-bound migrants near the country’s border with Guatemala The new president’s plan also relies heavily on the military though experts say troops are ill-equipped for a law enforcement role “The operation of public security in this country lies with the army the navy and the national guard — everything is militarized,” Tirado said Last week, soldiers fired on suspected smuggling vehicles ferrying U.S.-bound migrants in southern Mexico’s Chiapas state, leaving six dead and at least 10 wounded. Critics say the government of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is trying to downplay how people have disappeared in recent years López Obrador did little to professionalize Mexico’s municipal and state police forces many of which have been accused of widespread corruption Sheinbaum didn’t address the issue of reforming local police it’s going to be very difficult to resolve the crisis of security,” Clemente Castañeda Polls show that many Mexicans believe that violence is spiraling out of control The government says homicide numbers have dropped in recent years but the rate is still far higher than in the United States Mexico had 26 homicides per 100,000 people in 2017 then the rate spiked to 29 between 2018 and 2020 That is still more than four times the 2023 rate of 5.7 murders for every 100,000 people in the United States López Obrador’s presidency also saw a record of more than 50,000 “disappeared” — mostly kidnapped victims presumed dead, often buried in clandestine graves. Special correspondent Cecilia Sánchez Vidal contributed to this report. Foreign correspondent Patrick J. McDonnell is the Los Angeles Times Mexico City bureau chief and previously headed Times bureaus in Beirut, Buenos Aires and Baghdad. A native of the Bronx, McDonnell is a graduate of Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism and was a Nieman fellow at Harvard. You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed The mayor of Chilpancingo, a city in southern Mexico was tragically killed just one week after being sworn into office Alejandro Arcos had assumed the role of mayor in a city known for its high levels of violence including a recent incident where a drug gang openly demonstrated their power by hijacking a government armored car and taking police officers hostage has been a hotspot for violent clashes between rival drug gangs These conflicts have led to numerous brutal killings and notable scandals involving local officials The state prosecutors' office confirmed Arcos' death in a brief statement released on Sunday providing no further details on the circumstances surrounding the assassination The national leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party expressed deep sorrow over the killings of Arcos and another city council member both of whom were described as young and dedicated public servants striving for the betterment of their community Notably, Chilpancingo has been at the center of various criminal activities, with incidents like the recent demonstration organized by the Ardillos gang to secure the release of arrested leaders. The demonstration, which paralyzed traffic between Mexico City and Acapulco for two days involved violent clashes with security forces and the temporary abduction of several law enforcement and government officials The ongoing violence and criminal activities in Chilpancingo underscore the challenges faced by local authorities in maintaining law and order in the region The tragic killing of Mayor Arcos serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by organized crime in certain parts of Mexico highlighting the urgent need for enhanced security measures and efforts to combat criminal elements Protestors in Guerrero who had blockaded the Autopista del Sol highway on the southern outskirts of state capital Chilpancingo intermittently since Monday agreed to end their protest on Tuesday afternoon releasing their 13 hostages and returning weapons handcuffs and an armored troop carrier they’d seized from their law enforcement captives After a brief respite from another blockade yesterday the highway was blocked again in both directions by 6:30 a.m according to the federal roads and bridges agency Capufe Media reports said the protesters used stones The protesters were mostly residents of the nearby mountain communities of San Miguel Totolapan and Heliodoro Castillo They said they want the government to fulfill a promise to invest 5 million pesos (US $293,000) to improve local roads of which they say only 500,000 pesos (US $29,000) have been delivered authorities claim that Monday’s protest was in fact sparked by the arrest of two members of the Los Ardillos criminal group there was a demonstration initiated at the will of two people identified as criminal leaders who were arrested in possession of cartridges magazines and drugs and linked to various crimes in this region,” said Rosa Icela Rodríguez head of the Ministry of Citizen Security and Protection (SSPC) at President López Obrador’s daily press conference Tuesday morning Rodríguez condemned the actions of protestors and claimed that many had been forced to demonstrate by criminal groups Footage on social media appeared to show a large crowd cheering as a “Black Mamba” troop carrier was used to break open a gate Guerrero Minister of Government Ludwig Reynoso Núñez initiated talks with community leaders to discuss their demands While the highway was cleared around 7 p.m protestors left with 13 captives and the armored vehicle belonging to the Public Security Ministry The captives — five members of the National Guard five state policemen and one federal and two local government officials — were released early Tuesday afternoon after lengthy negotiations It is unclear what protesters were promised in return President López Obrador called on locals “not to allow themselves to be manipulated by those who direct these gangs that are linked to crime.” He insisted that the disturbance would be resolved without force and state Education Minister Marcial Rodríguez Saldaña said schools would remain closed as there was no way to ensure pupils’ safety The Defense Ministry has identified 16 criminal groups operating in Guerrero These groups are competing for control of drug sales extortion and kidnapping rackets and control of opium production in the area competition that has driven a wave of homicides in the area In June of 2022, local taxi drivers blocked the Autopista del Sol highway in the same area to protest the state government’s failure to provide security for transport workers With reports from Milenio and El Financiero Take a visual tour of Mexico – where it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas from Mexico City to Xalapa  – with this selection of pictures from the week and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Website Design by Blaser Consulting the bishop of Chilpancingo-Chilapa in Mexico’s Guerrero state had a particular sense of relief in his voice when he talked about the recent calm in this city over the Easter holiday González is part of a collection of Guerrero-based bishops who held talks with members of organized crime groups in February in hopes of negotiating a truce between local warring cartels and finding peace in one of Mexico's most dangerous states After several months of conflict, the breaking point that led to the bishops' pleas involved a clash between the Tlacos and the Familia Michoacana that left at least 15 dead in San Miguel Totolapan In a video leaked on social media from the attack an alleged hitman from a criminal group shouts "This is how you kill!" while other men shoot at more than a dozen piled-up bodies In an interview with ACI Prensa, Father Mario Ángel Flores Ramos of the Mexican Bishops’ Conference said the Catholic Church "cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of the community." Flores Ramos said priests are an active part of society and "are in direct contact with the realities faced by the population which motivates the Church to seek to overcome conflicts and act as a mediator in crisis situations." The negotiations were led by González and the archbishop of Acapulco Dagoberto Sosa; and the bishop of Ciudad Altamirano but they — the groups — followed through on their own "It was like we just came in and out — and (later) they agreed." both local criminal groups in charge of trafficking drugs and other illicit businesses in several areas of Guerrero Drug cartel La Familia Michoacana agreed on individual terms in a separate pact we have peace in all of Guerrero," González said at the end of the Palm Sunday mass Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador welcomed the bishops' negotiations We all must contribute to achieving peace," he said but added it’s the government's responsibility to guarantee peace Tecnológico de Monterrey political science professor Juan Carlos Montero said the government's efforts to do so in rural Guerrero are scant and far from successful — and that leads to the Catholic Church taking a lead role in conflict resolution there are three great figures who understand the community: the priest they reach the people in a way the state and federal governments do not “When the four bishops tried to talk to the cartels but they realized that I’ve been in talks with them for a while,” said Salvador Rangel I visited the Familia Michoacana cartel members to see what else we could do I can tell you that they — cartels — want peace This budding cooperation between church leaders and cartels seems to have impacted the violence metrics in the state as reflected by a 16.54% drop in the homicide rate this March compared to last year In Guerrero, more than 65% live in poverty, and around 40 criminal groups operate in different licit and illicit activities, according to the International Crisis Group The state is considered a critical area because of its strategic importance in the drug trade — being a major hub for marijuana and poppy cultivation — and its challenging geography that often limits government access “The geography restricts federal intervention leaving these communities marginalized in every sense which compounds the political and social strife,” said Montero the political science professor in Monterrey a priest and director of the human rights organization "Minerva Bello," talked about the inescapable presence of organized crime leaders in Guerrero particularly in areas abandoned by the state itself including indigenous and peasant communities," he said Velasquez noted the cartel leaders have secured some local trust because of their deep community ties "The cartels' identity with their regions means they tend to trust those (priests and bishops) who help their people." University of Alabama at Birmingham Associate Professor Chris Kyle who studies the political economy of Latin America noted the clergy's pragmatic acceptance of these criminal groups "The priests have accepted the fact that these criminal organizations are there and control the area they are just trying to stop people from shooting each other the best they can," Kyle said "We clear the way and let the state rescue the social fabric," Velasquez explained democracy and the observance of human rights This is not the first time the Catholic Church has made headlines about solving conflicts During the uprising by the indigenous Zapatista rebels in 1994, they were willing to mediate in the talks between the government and the rebels in the southern state of Chiapas Some have criticized the connections bishops in rural Mexico have with organized crime groups saying that I have links with them or that the church is a spokesperson for the interests of drug trafficking,” Velasquez told The Courier Journal Professor Montero said that “the Catholic Church has historically been linked to criminal groups,” but because of its power it has not been possible to expose or investigate these links “Catholic Churches in rural areas rely heavily on donations from criminal groups,” Montero said He expressed skepticism about the church's involvement "It seems hypocritical and cynical that a religion professing the salvation of people also extends protection to those harming others." said what the Catholic Church wants is to seek the common good — that cartels no longer kill each other or do harm “I would not proclaim that I have friendship with them The function of mediation is to be a third party in resolving conflict I have no protection from anyone,” González said experts such as Montero warned of the thin line between being a mediator and becoming a friend of the cartel “That’s the problem that every mediator has the one that always raises suspicions about how you know who is who and where they are they are criminals and murderers,” Montero said adding that no one should negotiate with criminals “At the moment you are mediating with criminals we are recognizing that they are at the same level as the government you just cannot mediate with criminals,” he said the bishop emeritus of Chilpancingo-Chilapa said he operates independently and Rome is aware and informed adding that he considers some cartel members as “his friends.”  "They are my friends because I've always dealt with them honestly "They commonly ask me for blessings and bless their saints — they are a very religious people." but deciding to leave represents a huge risk,” Luis Morales a member of the community police of Ayahualtempa do not have any agreement with any groups.”  Despite the decrease in murders and an Easter with no major events locals interviewed in different areas of Guerrero said the cartels’ activities haven't stopped in the entire state making extortion to merchants stronger than ever we would stop being community police and infiltrate the organization we are still in the same situation — we are cornered.” The killings in Guerrero had gotten so bad that it was attracting unwanted attention and the cartels were ready to take a break "I think the main point is the absence of any pushback from the federal government," Kyle said "This is the weakest I've seen the central government ever and criminal activity has more freedom to operate today than at any time that I've been watching In an interview with The Courier Journal from his home in bordering Morelos state Bishop Emeritus Rangel said the government has created a gap where people have more trust in the local drug lord than in the state itself the gaps have been filled by criminal groups — and the church When asked about how a bishop can sit with a drug lord in the morning and the same day listen to a mother whose son has been missing for years and is trying to find his remains but I know that the system the cartels have followed for 20 years is to burn bodies and throw them into the river Cristopher Rogel Blanquet and Lenin Mosso contributed to this report from Guerrero A student from the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ College in Guerrero was killed in a confrontation with state police in Chilpancingo on Thursday President Andrés Manuel López Obrador confirmed the death at his Friday morning press conference in Morelia, saying that it was “very regrettable” that “this situation” occurred “a day after a protest was carried out at the National Palace.” Ayotzinapa students used a pickup truck to break open wooden doors at the National Palace during a protest related to the disappearance and presumed murder in 2014 of 43 young men who were studying to become teachers at the Ayotzinapa school was killed when police shot at the occupants of a vehicle reported as stolen According to a statement from the Guerrero Ministry of Public Security (SSP) police used live security camera footage to locate the pickup truck and came under fire when they approached it near a hotel in Chilpancingo The officers returned fire and one of the aggressors was injured The Guerrero Attorney General’s Office later said that it had initiated a homicide investigation in connection with the incident López Obrador said Friday that in addition to the death of one student police found a pistol in the stolen pickup as well as cartridges three small bags of “a crystalline substance” — presumably methamphetamine — and beer López Obrador said that the second victim was not seriously injured He conveyed his condolences to the family of the man who was killed and said he would ask the Federal Attorney General’s Office to take charge of the case “We’re going to respectfully ask that it investigate well and announce what happened,” he said “… It wasn’t a clash between police and protesters,” stressed the president who frequently speaks out in support of people’s right to demonstrate peacefully “… We don’t want anyone to lose their life.” State government officials also asserted that there was no concerted effort on the part of Guerrero police to go after students from the Ayotzinapa school, who frequently participate in protests that sometimes turn violent Ayotzinapa students responded to the death of their fellow future teacher by seizing and setting on fire two state police vehicles in Chilpancingo The Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ College is located around 15 kilometers east of the state capital in the municipality of Tixtla The death of the young man raises tension at a time when the families of the 43 abducted students current Ayotzinapa students and others are already angry about the government’s failure to deliver justice in the almost 10-year-old case that occurred during the president of Enrique Peña Nieto Well over 100 people — including military personnel and police officers — have been arrested in connection with the students’ disappearance, but no one has faced trial or been convicted of the crime. The remains of just three students have been found The president this week said that the government is “making progress in the investigation,” and reiterated that it would uncover the truth and “find the young men,” whose abduction and presumed murder is one of the most notorious criminal cases in Mexican history