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Mexican Mayor Killed Within Hours Of Taking Office

Mexican Mayor Killed Within Hours Of Taking Office

The politician was killed while en route to his first meeting in office

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

The mayor of a Mexican city has been killed while on his way to his first meeting in office.

According to reports, Alejandro Aparicio Santiago was making his way to City Hall after taking office in Tlaxiaco, when he was attacked by a group of men.

In a statement, the state prosecutor's office said he had just been sworn in when an unknown number of gunmen opened fire. He was taken to a hospital, but sadly died there later on.

Four other people were also injured during the attack.

According to NPR, the state government broke the news of Mr Aparicio's death on their social media account.

Mr Aparicio was killed shortly after taking office in Tlaxiaco.
Facebook

They wrote on Twitter: "Que en paz descanse" - which translates in English to 'rest in peace'.

Mr Aparicio was a member of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), which is the party of newly-elected President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

The Oaxaca branch of the party shared their condolences and demanded action.

The tweet said: "We deeply regret the death of our friend and friend Alejandro Aparicio Santiago, Municipal President of the Heroic City of Tlaxiaco. We demand that the authorities act and punish those responsible. Our condolences to your family and friends."

Following the tragic incident, Gov. Alejandro Murathas promised to carry out a thorough investigation into the circumstances of his death and confirmed that a suspect had already been taken into custody.

He wrote on Twitter: "I strongly condemn the attack on the Municipal President of Tlaxiaco. I requested an exhaustive investigation from the Attorney General and he informs me that he has already arrested the probable perpetrator of the homicide. I express my condolences to the relatives and the people of Tlaxiaco."

This is not the first time a public official has been killed in Mexico, and according to reports it can be an extremely dangerous career.

Consultancy firm Etellekt states that between September 2017 and August 2018, some 175 politicians were killed.

NPR reported that last year more than 33,000 people were killed in Mexico, and things have become so bad that morgues have been overflowing; unable to keep up with the demand for space, at times bodies had to be stored in refrigerated trailers, which even led to residents complaining about the smell.

A local resident named María del Rosillo Limón Maldonado said the entire area smelled of death.

She said: "The smell penetrates you, totally envelops you."

Featured Image Credit: Facebook

Topics: World News, News, Mexico