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Federal Public Safety Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said four
mayors requested protection on Monday, a day after Arcos’
remains were found. The requests came from Guerrero and another
violence-plagued state, Guanajuato.
The situation in Guanajuato is so bad that ahead of the
country's June elections, at least four mayoral candidates were
killed.
Garcia Harfuch did not say why the mayors asked for protection.
He also didn't give much detail on the investigations into
Arcos' killing, saying only that the mayor had left his staff
behind to attend a private meeting just before his death.
Arcos had told local media he needed more protection, but Garcia
Harfuch said no formal request had been received. State and
federal governments can offer mayors bulletproof vehicles,
additional bodyguards and emergency alert systems.
The state capital, Chilpancingo, is dominated by two warring
drug gangs, the Ardillos and the Tlacos. One staged a
demonstration of hundreds of people, hijacked a government
armored car, blocked a major highway and took police hostage in
2023 to win the release of arrested suspects.
Gangs and drug cartels in Mexico frequently target mayors to
press demands for extortion payments, government contracts and
the appointment of henchmen to municipal police forces.
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