International: A new mayor assassinated in Mexico, political violence persists
A recently elected municipal official, Salvador Villalva Flores, was tragically shot and killed last Monday in Mexico in the state of Guerrero, highlighting the persistent political violence in the country.
Villalva Flores was on a bus in San Pedro las Playas when the incident occurred. He was shot in the head and did not survive his injuries, according to local authorities.
The city of San Pedro las Playas, located a few hours’ drive from Copala where Villalva had recently won the municipal elections, became the scene of this violent act. Guerrero, the state in which this coastal city is located, has long been plagued by criminal organizations vying for control of the territory.
This tragedy adds to a series of attacks on political candidates and elected officials in Mexico. Before and after the general elections on June 2, at least 34 candidates were killed across the country, according to the human rights organization Data Civica.
The widespread violence is not limited to the political sphere. With a total of 29.675 homicides reported last year, Mexico continues to face a persistent security crisis, averaging 81 homicides per day, according to authorities. The state of Guanajuato, long considered one of the most violent, recorded 3.104 homicides alone.
