Violence in southern Mexico claimed another victim with the assassination of a mayor found deceased in a van.

Acacio Flores, the mayor of Malinaltepec, was murdered just days after the assassination of another local politician in the same region, as The Gateway Pundit reports.

Last Saturday, authorities confirmed the assassination of Flores. This grim discovery occurred merely a few days after Salvador Villalba Flores, a politician from the same area, met a similar fate.

Mayor Found with Bullet Wound

The body of Mayor Flores was found with a bullet wound to the back of his head in a van located in Malinaltepec. The local prosecutors have since declared the incident a homicide, and investigations are currently underway.

Agents from the Ministerial Investigative Police are involved in the investigation, according to a statement by prosecutors in Guerrero, where these violent incidents took place.

Details On Flores' Kidnapping and Murder

Before his death, Flores was reportedly kidnapped from an indigenous village where he had been detained since Thursday. A human rights campaigner revealed to AFP that Flores had been involved in negotiations for his release before he was killed.

The politician, a member of the Solidarity Encounter Party (PES), was traveling to Alacatlazala when he was attacked and kidnapped.

Local media highlighted the potential land ownership disputes as a motive, which the public prosecutor's office is currently reviewing.

Governor Condemns Assassination

Evelyn Salgado Pineda, the governor of Guerrero, expressed her outrage over the murder on social media. She vowed that the authorities would work diligently to "identify, locate, and bring to justice the perpetrators."

In a poignant reflection of his dedication, Flores had posted on social media about the impact of his work in remote villages, stating he was "delivering results" and "leaving a mark."

Political Violence Escalates During Election Season

The assassination is part of a broader pattern of violence targeting political figures in Mexico. Since the campaign season began last September, about 30 political candidates have been killed, reported Data Civica.

These killings come in the wake of Mexico's general elections held on June 2, where leftist Claudia Sheinbaum was elected as the country's first female president.

Recent Killings of Female Politicians

Following the elections, the violence has not abated. Earlier this month, a female local councilwoman was shot and killed by an armed gunman as she left her home in Guerrero.

This incident was soon followed by the murder of another mayor and her bodyguard outside a gym on the day Sheinbaum was announced the winner.

Guerrero, notorious for its drug cartel activities due to its strategic position along Mexico’s Pacific coast, has been severely affected. With 1,890 murders reported in 2023, it is one of the six states in Mexico that the U.S. State Department strongly advises against traveling to due to high crime rates.

Global Concerns Over Safety in Guerrero

The continuing violence has drawn international concern, particularly from the United States, which cautions its citizens against traveling to Guerrero and other similarly afflicted regions.

This series of political assassinations underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in controlling drug cartel violence and protecting public figures.

In conclusion, the murder of Mayor Acacio Flores underscores the ongoing violence and instability plaguing Guerrero, as political figures particularly remain vulnerable targets. Authorities are under increasing pressure to resolve these crimes and bring those responsible to justice.