Jalisco Councilwoman Shot Dead As Cartels Keep Targeting Public Officials In Sinaloa

A municipal councilwoman in Jalisco and head nurse at the Teocaltiche Community Hospital was shot and killed early Friday by three armed individuals, marking yet another act of violence in the troubled region.

The victim, Cecilia Ruvalcaba, was both a health care worker and an elected official with the Citizens' Movement (Movimiento Ciudadano) party. Her death follows a string of killings targeting public officials in the area in recent weeks, including two police officers and the city council secretary.

According to witness accounts, three masked gunmen entered the hospital during the early hours of May 9 and immediately opened fire. Responding officers found Ruvalcaba's body with at least two gunshot wounds, while investigators recovered spent shell casings and a bullet near the scene.

The Jalisco Attorney General's Office said the investigation is ongoing as authorities work to identify and locate those responsible.

According to Animal Político, Ruvalcaba had been a prominent figure in Teocaltiche politics. She ran for municipal president during the 2023–2024 election cycle, ultimately losing to Silvia Margarita Villalobos, the candidate from the opposition coalition Fuerza y Corazón por Jalisco (comprising PAN, PRI and PRD).

Ruvalcaba used her social media platforms to document both her political work and her service in the public health sector. After being elected councilwoman she pledged to serve her community with "transparency and dedication," adding that every decision would be guided by the well-being of Teocaltiche.

Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus expressed his condolences in a message posted to X, labelling Ruvalcaba as an "exemplary woman."

"Cecilia Ruvalcaba was an exemplary woman who dedicated her life to caring for others," Lemus wrote. "My solidarity goes out to her family, friends and the entire community of Teocaltiche. Investigations are already underway to bring those responsible to justice."

Cartel-related violence wreaks havoc in Jalisco

The municipality of Teocaltiche is located in a region of Jalisco long contested by rival drug cartels vying for control of key smuggling routes. Although the state is considered a stronghold of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), the Sinaloa Cartel maintains a significant foothold in the Los Altos region, located less than 20 miles east of Guadalajara.

In recent months, residents have reported repeated incidents of violence and forced displacement stemming from clashes between the two criminal groups.

In late April, City Council Secretary José Luis Pereida was fatally shot outside a seafood restaurant near the city center, allegedly by cartel gunmen.

Law enforcement officers have also come under attack. Last month, two officers — including Teocaltiche's police chief — were killed by suspected criminal organizations. In February, eight additional officers went missing under similar circumstances.