A mayor in southern Mexico was shot dead in her office on Sunday, marking another deadly attack in the ongoing violence targeting local officials across the country.
According to police reports, four armed men on motorcycles stormed the town hall of San Mateo Piñas in Oaxaca state. The attackers threatened security personnel at the entrance before proceeding into the building where they opened fire inside Mayor Lilia García's office.
The violent assault resulted in the deaths of both Mayor García and another municipal official, Eli García. Two municipal police officers also sustained injuries during the attack.
Official Response to the Attack
Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara condemned the violence on social media, stating, "There can be no impunity for this act." The state prosecutor's office has launched an investigation, with both military and federal agents deployed to the area.
This killing adds to a growing list of violent attacks against local politicians throughout Mexico, particularly in regions where powerful drug trafficking groups maintain operations. The violence has reached even the nation's capital, where two associates of Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada were murdered in public last month.
Broader Context of Violence in Mexico
The assassination highlights Mexico's ongoing struggle with criminal violence, predominantly linked to drug cartels. Since 2006, this violence has claimed approximately 480,000 lives across the country, with more than 120,000 people still missing.
Local officials in Mexico often face threats and violence from criminal organizations seeking to control territories and influence governance, creating a dangerous environment for those in public service.
The targeting of elected officials represents a direct challenge to Mexico's democratic institutions and highlights the complex security challenges facing the country as it continues to battle powerful criminal networks.
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