Mexican Mayor murdered in Jalisco in area dominated New Generation Cartel

Cesar Arturo Valencia, mayor of the Mexican municipality of Aguililla, was murdered on Thursday while traveling in his pickup truck. The attack occurred after the official had met with federal and state authorities, according to local outlet La Jornada.

"I am at the scene. I am next to César's body. He was riding in his vehicle, a vehicle belonging to the municipality. He was alone and apparently, the assassins stopped him. They probably approached him to talk to him and shot him," said Catholic priest Gilberto Vergara, who has fought for peace in Aguililla, a community marked by the war between drug cartels.

Valencia was shot twice in the chest and once in the neck and died inside the car, reported EFE.

"We strongly condemn the murder. I have given instructions for the events to be investigated thoroughly, clarified as soon as possible and those responsible to be punished," said the governor of Michoacan, Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla, in a tweet.

Condenamos enérgicamente el asesinato del alcalde de Aguililla, César Arturo Valencia Caballero. He girado instrucciones para que se investiguen a fondo los sucesos, se esclarezcan a la brevedad y se castigue a quienes resulten responsables.

— Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla (@ARBedolla) March 10, 2022

Authorities of the Aguililla town hall and the Michoacán prosecutor's office also reported on Friday the discovery of the body of René Cervantes Gaytán, Valencia’s advisor. Cervantes was reported missing and was one of the people closest to the murdered mayor.

"He wanted to do things well for his municipality; he was constantly making efforts. He saw how to bring benefits to his people and it is very unfortunate that today we learned of this news," said Ernesto Nunez Aguilar, leader of the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico in Michoacan.

Valencia took office in September 2021 as mayor of the municipality of Aguililla, where at least 4,000 people have been displaced by insecurity and violence.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador sent his condolences to family and friends following his death.

Aguililla is one of the most violent municipalities in the state of Michoacan. For at least two years, it has been a battleground between the United Cartels of Michoacan and the Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG).

The Mexican government announced last February that it had regained control after an extensive deployment of soldiers. Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho," leader of the CJNG and one of the most wanted men by Mexican and US authorities, was born in this town.