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Héctor Ríos Morales

Mexico Mayor Pleaded for More Security Hours Before Being Decapitated

Mexican security forces respond at the scene where Alejandro Arcos, mayor of Chilpancingo, was killed on October 6, 2024 (Credit: Oscar Guerrero/Image via Reuters)

ALABAMA - New information is surfacing about the murder of Alejandro Arcos Catalán, the Mexican mayor of Chilpancingo, Guerrero, who was murdered and decapitated on Oct. 6 as violence spreads throughout the country.

In recent weeks, hundreds of people including cartel members, civilians, migrants and law enforcement have died in northern Mexico, but the south is seeing elevated levels of violence as well. with Arcos Catalán's death an illustrative example. The crime took place just three days after Francisco Tapia, Chilpancingo's new secretary, was also killed.

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, Evelyn Salgado, 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. 4, 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, with values and convictions, one who had always dedicated himself to serve the community and one that did not have a single problem in his life."

He then proceeded to ask Gov. 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.

As the case continues to unfold, 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 will bring more resources, intelligence, and investigations to some states, working closely with local governors."

"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.

Violence in Guerrero

For decades, 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.

© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

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