The mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital of Mexico's violence-plagued state of Guerrero, travelled alone to an out-of-town meeting before he was killed, Mexico's security minister said on Tuesday about the murder which has shocked the country.

Alejandro Arcos, of Mexico's main opposition alliance, had only taken office six days earlier. Photos circulated on Sunday via WhatsApp and in Mexican media outlets depicting a severed head on top of a pick-up truck, appearing to be that of Arcos.&nbsp;

The gruesome act happened just days before new President Claudia Sheinbaum unveiled her security strategy aimed at combating violent crime.&nbsp;

Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said in a news conference that an investigation had determined Arcos left Chilpancingo in his pickup truck without a driver or escort heading towards the nearby town of Petaquillas.&nbsp;

Arcos had not requested security protection from the federal government, Garcia Harfuch said.&nbsp;

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"We know that he was going to a specific meeting, that he was not accompanied by someone. Communication was lost in a community, and... hours later the mayor's body was found," Garcia Harfuch said.&nbsp;

Asked by a reporter who Arcos was meeting with, the minister declined to give details, saying it was an open investigation.

"There is a lot of information on this subject that we must guard for the sake of the investigation," Harfuch said.&nbsp;

Mexican newspaper Reforma, citing federal government sources, reported that Arcos had met with members of Los Ardillos, a criminal group active in Guerrero state, hours before his death. &nbsp;

A funeral for Arcos was held on Monday, with mourners lining the streets and throwing rose petals as his casket was driven through the town.&nbsp;

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Similar grisly murders involving decapitations have plagued Guerrero - including Chilpancingo - in the past as a way cartel members use to send messages of threats and control.&nbsp;

As recently as 2023, violence from warring gang factions paralyzed public transportation and shuttered businesses in Chilpancingo. After Arcos' killing, classes were suspended for local schools.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital of Mexico's violence-plagued state of Guerrero, travelled alone to an out-of-town meeting before he was killed, Mexico's security minister said on Tuesday about the murder which has shocked the country.

The mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital of Mexico's violence-plagued state of Guerrero, travelled alone to an out-of-town meeting before he was killed, Mexico's security minister said on Tuesday about the murder which has shocked the country. Alejandro Arcos, of Mexico's main opposition alliance, had only taken office six days earlier. Photos circulated on Sunday via WhatsApp and in Mexican media outlets depicting a severed head on top of a pick-up truck, appearing to be that of Arcos. The gruesome act happened just days before new President Claudia Sheinbaum unveiled her security strategy aimed at combating violent crime. Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said in a news conference that an investigation had determined Arcos left Chilpancingo in his pickup truck without a driver or escort heading towards the nearby town of Petaquillas. Arcos had not requested security protection from the federal government, Garcia Harfuch said. Also Read | NASA is on alert as three asteroids come hurtling towards Earth at scary speed. Will they collide? "We know that he was going to a specific meeting, that he was not accompanied by someone. Communication was lost in a community, and... hours later the mayor's body was found," Garcia Harfuch said. Asked by a reporter who Arcos was meeting with, the minister declined to give details, saying it was an open investigation. "There is a lot of information on this subject that we must guard for the sake of the investigation," Harfuch said. Mexican newspaper Reforma, citing federal government sources, reported that Arcos had met with members of Los Ardillos, a criminal group active in Guerrero state, hours before his death. A funeral for Arcos was held on Monday, with mourners lining the streets and throwing rose petals as his casket was driven through the town. Also Read | Another world with six-storey buildings beneath the Arctic? Here's what scientists found on its seafloor Similar grisly murders involving decapitations have plagued Guerrero - including Chilpancingo - in the past as a way cartel members use to send messages of threats and control. As recently as 2023, violence from warring gang factions paralyzed public transportation and shuttered businesses in Chilpancingo. After Arcos' killing, classes were suspended for local schools. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Mexico: Chilpancingo Mayor Alejandro Arcos went alone to a meeting before his brutal killing

Alejandro Arcos, the mayor of Chilpancingo in Mexico's violence-plagued state of Guerrero, was killed, six days after he took office. Watch in for more details!

Mexico: Chilpancingo Mayor Murdered Just Days After Taking Office

Alejandro Arcos, the mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital of Mexico's Guerrero, has been killed less than a week after taking office.

The mayor of the violence-plagued state was killed on Sunday (Oct 6), confirmed the state's governor in a post on social media.

According to a Reuters report, the young mayor may have been decapitated. Reportedly, on WhatsApp, pictures of what appears to be his severed head on top of a pickup truck have been circulated. However, the news agency was unable to verify the authenticity of the photos.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:182,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1872}">His loss</h2>

Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado said in a statement shared on social media,&nbsp;"The entire Guerrero society mourns his loss, it fills us with indignation."

Alejandro Arcos's death comes just three days after the new city government's secretary, Francisco Tapia, was shot to death.

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Taking to social media, Senator Alejandro Moreno said: "They were young and honest officials who sought progress for their community."

The Guerrero state attorney general's office said it was investigating the murder.

Given "the situation of ungovernability in Guerrero," Moreno, the head of Mexico's PRI political party, has called on the federal attorney general's office to lead the investigation into the murders of the two political leaders.

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<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:507,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2197}">"Cowardly crime"</h2>

The Mayor's party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party, has denounced the "cowardly crime" and has called for justice.

"Enough of violence and impunity! The people of Guerrero do not deserve to live in fear," said the party on the social media platform X, as reported by AFP.

In recent months, Guerrero has emerged as one of the deadliest cities for politicians and journalists. Given the city's&nbsp;location along the Pacific coast, it&nbsp;is one of the Mexican states most affected by drug cartel violence.

Ahead of Mexico's June 2 elections, at least six political candidates were killed in the state.

(With inputs from agencies)

Alejandro Arcos, the mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital of Mexico's Guerrero, has been killed less than a week after taking office. The mayor of the violence-plagued state was killed on Sunday (Oct 6), confirmed the state's governor in a post on social media.

Alejandro Arcos, the mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital of Mexico's Guerrero, has been killed less than a week after taking office. The mayor of the violence-plagued state was killed on Sunday (Oct 6), confirmed the state's governor in a post on social media. According to a Reuters report, the young mayor may have been decapitated. Reportedly, on WhatsApp, pictures of what appears to be his severed head on top of a pickup truck have been circulated. However, the news agency was unable to verify the authenticity of the photos. His loss Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado said in a statement shared on social media, "The entire Guerrero society mourns his loss, it fills us with indignation." Alejandro Arcos's death comes just three days after the new city government's secretary, Francisco Tapia, was shot to death. Also read | Hamas praises Oct 7 attack on Israel, says it shattered 'illusions the enemy had created for itself'. Watch! Taking to social media, Senator Alejandro Moreno said: "They were young and honest officials who sought progress for their community." The Guerrero state attorney general's office said it was investigating the murder. Given "the situation of ungovernability in Guerrero," Moreno, the head of Mexico's PRI political party, has called on the federal attorney general's office to lead the investigation into the murders of the two political leaders. Also read | Milton strengthens into hurricane, Florida braces for impact "Cowardly crime" The Mayor's party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party, has denounced the "cowardly crime" and has called for justice. "Enough of violence and impunity! The people of Guerrero do not deserve to live in fear," said the party on the social media platform X, as reported by AFP. In recent months, Guerrero has emerged as one of the deadliest cities for politicians and journalists. Given the city's location along the Pacific coast, it is one of the Mexican states most affected by drug cartel violence. Ahead of Mexico's June 2 elections, at least six political candidates were killed in the state. (With inputs from agencies)

Mexico: Chilpancingo mayor murdered just 6 days after taking office; may have been decapitated

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