Mexico Violence: Mayor-Elect Shot Dead Near Acapulco

Political violence has not ended in Mexico despite the election already being over, as a man who was just elected mayor was shot dead in Guerrero state. The victim was identified as Copala town Mayor-Elect Salvador Villalba Flores.

Local prosecutors revealed that Villalba Flores was assassinated last Monday while he was traveling on a highway. This is the latest in a series of attacks that targeted local politicians, with many either ending up hospitalized or dead.

While national candidates like President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum enjoy massive security entourages, local politicians such as Villalba Flores do not get any, though some protection is afforded to replacement candidates whose predecessors were killed or coerced into backing out.

The mayor-elect was supposed to take office in October and become the top official in Copala, a town of about 4,000 residents about 80 miles southeast of Acapulco. He used to be a Navy captain but has since retired, running for office instead.

Local newspapers say that the mayor-elect usually had a security entourage travel with him. However, when he was attacked, he was alone and was riding a bus. He was reportedly taken off the bus when it stopped near San Pedro las Playas where he was shot and killed.

Guerrero state, the home of Acapulco, was once one of Mexico's top tourist spots as the city used to be the playground for the rich and famous. In recent years, it has since become a battleground for various drug organizations battling for supremacy and better drug trafficking routes.

These drug organizations usually have politicians killed so that they can run their own candidate or have a candidate more lenient towards them win.

Killed Mayor-Elect in Guerrero State Ran After His Friend, Another Candidate, Was Also Killed

Mayor-Elect Salvador Villalba Flores is but the latest in a series of deaths in Guerrero state, as he himself ran after a candidate friend of his was also murdered back in June 2023.

Guerrero state had been a very violent place for candidates, as earlier this month, a local councilwoman was gunned down as she was leaving her home. Another candidate and her bodyguard were also gunned down outside of a local gym. This attack happened just hours after Sheinbaum won the presidency.

According to the Associated Press, in the run-up to the elections, which happened last June 2, at least 37 political candidates have been killed all over Mexico. The data was taken from Data Civica, a human rights organization.

Violence Marred Mexico's Elections This Year

While the victory of Mexico's first-ever female president has been lauded, a dark cloud permeated throughout the race as candidate after candidate were killed in the lead-up to the big vote.

While the election was lauded as the "most vibrant in Mexico's modern history," the Wilson Center noted that "these attacks threaten to undermine democracy itself. For example, after two candidates for mayor in Michoacán were killed on the same day, 10 candidates in other local races withdrew their candidacies out of fear."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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