World News

New mayor takes office in Mexico after predecessor was beheaded, placed on roof of vehicle

By
Associated Press
Published Oct. 11, 2024, 4:18 a.m. ET

A new mayor was sworn in Thursday in a city in southern Mexico where his predecessor was killed and beheaded less than a week after taking office.

The new mayor, Gustavo Alarcón, a doctor, had been elect𒆙ed as an alternate on the same ticket as deceased Mayor Alejandro Arcos in the June election.

Dr. Gustavo Alarcón is sworn into office after his predecessor was beheaded.
Dr. Gustavo Alarcón is sworn into office after his predecessor was beheaded. AP
The doctor was elected as an alternate in the June election.
The doctor was elected as an alternate in the June election. AP

Arcos took office on Oct. 1 in the violence-wracked city of Chilpancingo, the ca𓆉pital 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 grip🃏ped Chilpancingo for year💟s.

Mayor Alejandro Arcos was killed on Oct. 6 which is less than a week after he took office.
Mayor Alejandro Arcos was killed on Oct. 6 which is less than a week after he took office. via REUTERS
This is the vehicle where the remains of Mayor Arcos was found.
This is the vehicle where the remains of Mayor Arcos was found. AFP via Getty Images
Investigators and forensic personnel responded to the shocking scene after Acros’ head was discovered.
Investigators and forensic personnel responded to the shocking scene after Acros’ head was discovered. AFP via Getty Images

Before he was killed, Arcos had told local media he needed more protection, but officials said no formal reqꦿuest had been received. State and federal governments can offer mayors bulletproof vehicles, additional bodyguards and emergency aleꦚrt systems. It was not clear if Alarcón had been granted that kind of protection.

Chilpancingo, a city of about 300,000, is dominated by two warring drug ♓gang♉s, the Ardillos and the Tlacos. One staged a demonstration of hundreds of people, hijacked a government armored car, blocked a major highway and took police hostage in 2023 to win the release of arrested suspects.

Children are being armed Chilpancingo to combat violent drug cartels terrorizing their communities, according to the newspaper EL Universal.
Children are being armed Chilpancingo to combat violent drug cartels terrorizing their communities, according to the newspaper EL Universal. AP
The new Chilpancingo mayor takes office as violence fills the streets of his city.
The new Chilpancingo mayor takes office as violence fills the streets of his city. REUTERS

Earlier this week, federal Public Safety Secretary Omar García Harfuch said four mayors from other towns in Mexico had requested protection on Monday, a day after Arcos’ remains were found. The requests came from Guerrero and another violence-pla💞gued state, Guanajuato.

The situation in Guanajuato is so bad that ahead of the country’s June elections, at least four mayoral candidates were kilꦅled.

But violence in Guerrero reached such unprecedented levels that earlier this year, Roma🍌n Catholic bishops announced they had helped arrange a truce in another p🌜art of the state between two warring drug cartels.

At the tim🍸🐭e, 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, helped in pacifying the cou♕ntry. I think it is very good,” said López Obrador, who left office Sept. 30.