4 mayors in Mexico have requested federal safety following the brutal beheading of a fellow mayor, Alejandro Arcos, within the southern state of Guerrero final week, officers confirmed on Tuesday. Arcos had solely been in workplace for lower than per week earlier than his tragic loss of life.
Omar Garcia Harfuch, the Federal Public Security Secretary, revealed that 4 mayors requested safety on Monday, simply sooner or later after Arcos’ stays have been found. These requests got here from each Guerrero and one other violence-stricken state, Guanajuato, in keeping with a report by Related Press.
Forward of Mexico’s June elections, violence in Guanajuato has escalated considerably, with a minimum of 4 mayoral candidates murdered. Garcia Harfuch didn’t specify the explanations for the mayors’ safety requests however acknowledged the rising risks they face.
Arcos had reportedly voiced considerations about his security to native media, but Garcia Harfuch famous that no formal request for defense had been submitted earlier than the killing.
State and federal authorities can present mayors with bulletproof automobiles, further bodyguards, and emergency alert techniques if needed. Chilpancingo, Guerrero’s state capital, has turn into a battleground for 2 rival drug cartels, the Ardillos and the Tlacos, as reported by AP.
In 2023, certainly one of these teams staged a big demonstration, hijacking a authorities armoured automobile, blocking a serious freeway, and taking cops hostage to demand the discharge of captured gang members.
Felony gangs in Mexico usually goal mayors to extort funds, seize management of presidency contracts, or place their associates inside native police forces.
(with inputs from AP)
