CHILPANCINGO, MEXICO – A horrifying wave of violence continues to grip Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero state, after the gruesome murder of its mayor, Alejandro Arcos. His decapitated head was discovered atop his car just days into his tenure as leader, marking the second local official murdered within a week in this city.
Arcos, 43, was found dead inside his pickup truck Sunday night. State prosecutors confirmed his death, launching an investigation into the attack. Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado expressed outrage, describing his loss as one that saddens and angers the entire state.
On the day of his murder, Arcos had been visiting areas of Chilpancingo still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane John. The city, with a population of approximately 280,000, is still reeling from the murder of government secretary Francisco Tapia, who was shot the previous week.
Condolences poured in from officials like Sen. Alejandro Moreno, who commended Arcos and Tapia as upright and dedicated public servants. The violence highlights Guerrero’s unfortunate status as one of the deadliest regions for politicians and journalists in Mexico. The state’s June elections were marred by the killings of at least six candidates.
A backdrop of entrenched gang violence continues to haunt Chilpancingo, where two rival factions, the Ardillos and the Tlacos, have long fueled unrest. The city’s former mayor, Norma Otilia Hernández, was removed from her party after being caught on video allegedly meeting with gang leaders, which cleared the way for Arcos’s candidacy.
In July, Chilpancingo was a hotspot for gang activity when the Ardillos orchestrated a major protest. Supporters clashed with authorities to push for the release of gang leaders detained on drug and weapon charges. This chaotic protest saw the hijacking of a police armored vehicle and the blockade of vital highways connecting Mexico City and Acapulco.
The protest escalated to the point where demonstrators kidnapped several state and federal officials, along with members of the state police and National Guard. The hostages were eventually released following negotiations that included commitments for public investment in local infrastructure projects.