Mexico authorities arrest security official for the murder of state capital’s mayor News
Gio Antonio, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mexico authorities arrest security official for the murder of state capital’s mayor

The Attorney General’s Office of the State of Guerrero (FGEGuerrero), the Mexican Army, and the National Guard of Mexico arrested a former prosecutor on Tuesday for the murder of Alejandro Arcos Catalán, the municipal president of Chilpancingo de los Bravo, capital of the Mexican state of Guerrero.

An arrest warrant was served for Gérman Reyes for the assassination of Catalán on October 6, 2024. Reyes is a former prosecutor, retired military justice captain, and security chief for Chilpancingo. He has denied his involvement in Catalán’s death and when brought before the judge on Tuesday afternoon, stated that there was no incriminating evidence and that he was not aware of the crime he was arrested for.

Catalán was murdered days after he took office on October 1. Catalán was found decapitated east of Chilpancingo. Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection Omar García Harfuch said that Catalán had traveled alone to Petaquillas, a town south of Chilpancingo and known to be controlled by the Los Ardillos drug gang, for a private meeting. Also in the days after the new government was sworn in, ,Francisco Gonzalo Tapia Gutiérrez, general secretary of the City Council, was slain in Chilpancingo’s central square.

Violence in Chilpancingo is attributed to conflict over turf control between the gangs Los Ardillos and Los Tlacos. Guerrero is a state in Mexico that the US State Department has advised American travelers to avoid due to the risk of crime and kidnappings.

There were 1,247 murder victims during the first two weeks of President Sheinbaum’s government. 488 homicide deaths were reported in the first six days with approximately 81.1 murders per day. Political violence is common in Mexico with an increase in violence during elections and when newly appointed leaders take power. Gangs also target government officials for extortion. However, President Sheinbaum announced the National Security Strategy of the Government of Mexico, which includes the creation of a national intelligence center, coordination with prosecutors, and the formation of new police and military forces to combat crime.

Latin American and Caribbean cities have the highest number of homicides in 40 out of 50 of the most dangerous cities globally — including Mexico, which ranks 11th.

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