The mayor-elect of Mexico was forcibly removed from a bus and fatally shot

Salvador Villalva Flores, a recently elected mayor, was fatally shot on Monday, June 17, in southern Mexico’s Guerrero state.

According to the Guerrero state prosecutor’s office, Villalva was aboard a bus in the town of San Pedro las Playas when he was shot in the head. San Pedro las Playas is located approximately two hours up the coast from Copala, where Villalva had been elected mayor on June 2.

No further details about the shooting have been disclosed. Guerrero is known for being contested by various criminal organizations seeking control of the region.

Local media also reported that Villalva had entered the mayoral race after his friend, a fellow candidate, was murdered in June 2023. Data Civica, a human rights organization, has reported that at least 34 political candidates have been killed across Mexico in the lead-up to and aftermath of the June 2 election.

Salvador Villalva Flores, a recently elected mayor, was fatally shot on Monday, June 17, in southern Mexico’s Guerrero state.

According to the Guerrero state prosecutor’s office, Villalva was aboard a bus in the town of San Pedro las Playas when he was shot in the head. San Pedro las Playas is located approximately two hours up the coast from Copala, where Villalva had been elected mayor on June 2.

No further details about the shooting have been disclosed. Guerrero is known for being contested by various criminal organizations seeking control of the region.

Local media also reported that Villalva had entered the mayoral race after his friend, a fellow candidate, was murdered in June 2023. Data Civica, a human rights organization, has reported that at least 34 political candidates have been killed across Mexico in the lead-up to and aftermath of the June 2 election.