Another incident occurred in a small town in Oaxaca, southern Mexico, where the mayor and city officials were killed by gunfire from assailants.
AFP reported that on the 15th (local time), in the city of San Mateo Piñas in Oaxaca, Mayor Lilia Gema Garcia and city employee Eli Garcia were killed on the spot due to an attack by assailants.
The incident took place around 11 a.m. that day. The perpetrators, who arrived at city hall on motorcycles, threatened the police officers guarding the building and then stormed into Mayor Garcia’s office and opened fire. In the process, two police officers were also injured.
Immediately after the incident, Salomon Jara, the governor of Oaxaca, stated via social media (SNS), “This incident must not go unpunished,” and noted, “We will work with the state prosecutor’s office to uncover the truth and achieve justice.”
The motive for the crime and the identity of the suspects have not yet been disclosed. However, AFP noted that incidents targeting local politicians by drug trafficking organizations and other criminal groups have been occurring across Mexico. Particularly, violent incidents targeting politicians are reported to be frequent in areas where drug crimes are concentrated.
Earlier last month, in Santiago Amoltepec, Oaxaca, Mayor Mario Hernández and two police officers lost their lives due to an assault by assailants. In the same month, in Mexico City, two aides of Mayor Clara Bruda were murdered in a public place.
According to AFP, about 480,000 people have died from drug-related crimes in Mexico since 2006, and the number of missing persons exceeds 120,000.