A local mayor in central Mexico, Valentin Lavin, was killed in a town hall in Temoac, the state prosecutor’s office reported Wednesday. This town lies within Morelos, a region near Mexico City known for significant drug cartel activity. Lavin, associated with President Claudia Sheinbaum’s leftist party, had previously escaped another assassination attempt in January, according to local media.
Forensic specialists and police discovered Lavin’s body in government facilities. Authorities have initiated operations to find those responsible for the killing.
Valentin Lavin Romero, via Facebook
Since 2006, drug-related violence has left nearly 100 mayors dead in Mexico, as per official figures. The current government, since October 2024, has witnessed 14 mayoral murders, with three occurring in 2026, as reported by Uno TV.
The tragic shooting of Mayor Carlos Manzo during Day of the Dead celebrations last November in Michoacan had already stunned the nation. Criminal gangs frequently target local officials, especially in regions where cartels vie for control.
Recently, a Mexican councilwoman’s husband was shot dead, harming both the politician and her daughter as they were reportedly heading to a school graduation.
President Sheinbaum, on July 14, claimed a nearly fifty percent reduction in homicides since September 2024, crediting her administration’s security measures. However, Mexico has struggled with persistent violence since the government began its anti-cartel operations in 2006. Data reveals close to 500,000 deaths and about 130,000 disappearances during this period.
Leave a Reply