Former Mexican Mayor Disappears a Day After Another One Is Assassinated In The Middle Of The Town

Alejandro Correa Gomez, former mayor of the Mexican town of Zinapecuaro, has gone missing since Sunday, according to a new notice from authorities.

Correa Gomez led the town between 2018 and 2021 as part of the ruling Morena Party. Infobae noted that shortly before going missing, he posted an ominous message on his Facebook profile: "I miss you every day mom... most days I'm strong but on days like these, it's when the strength goes away and the sound of your smile and the light of your sight revives... I'll be fine and my life will be an homage to your being!" he said.

The development took place a day after another mayor, Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodriguez, was killed in Uruapan's historic center. A city council member and a bodyguard were injured in the attack, while the assailant was killed at the scene.

The weapon used for the killing is linked to armed clashes between rival criminal groups in Michoacan, said Federal Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch. "No line of investigation is being ruled out to clarify this cowardly act that took the life of the mayor," he added.

The Associated Press noted that Manzo Rodriguez had publicly appealed to Sheinbaum on social media to help him confront cartels and criminal organizations. He also accused Michacan's governor, who is close to the government, of corruption. He had been under protection since December 2024, three months after taking office.

The killing was captured on video and posted on social media. Images show residents and tourists, many of whom were wearing Day of the Dead costumes, running for cover after the gunshot rings.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum slammed opposition members for criticizing her government following the killing.

"There is not even empathy about what happened. The political use of this is very obvious," Sheinbaum said during a passage of her daily press conference.

"What do they propose? Nothing more than tough-on-crime policies. We need justice in the broad sense of the world, from the social aspect to a justice system that leads to no impunity in the context of the law," she added.