Mayor shot in Oaxaca - spirals in Mexico escalated!

Mayor shot in Oaxaca - spirals in Mexico escalated!

In a shattering incident, Mayor Lilia García was murdered on Sunday in her office in San Mateo Piñas, Oaxaca. The attack occurred when four armed men stormed the town hall and not only killed the mayor, but also another officer. Governor Salomon Jara has expressed his outrage over the cruel deed on social media and emphasizes that there should be no impunity for this type of violence. This decision could be of great importance, as it emphasizes the growing problem of political violence in Mexico. Krone reports of this incident that once again connects the country to the brutal reality of crime.

The security situation in Mexico has been alarming for years. Just two weeks ago, five police officers were victims of an attack by armed gangs in the neighboring state of Chiapa, while they were on patrol. This aggression is part of a larger pattern that repeatedly targets local politicians and security forces. The potential for violence, especially in the state of Chiapa, has increased significantly, not least because of the fighting between the mighty drug cartels Jalalco Nueva Generación and Sinaloa. According to reports, more than 450,000 people in Mexico have been killed by choked crime, often in connection with drug trafficking, since 2006.

reaction of the authorities and security measures

In response to the accumulating security situation, the local security authority has already mobilized more than 1000 civil servants to ensure security in the region. This measure is intended to give back a feeling of security for both the population and the local person responsible and counteract the continued terror of the gangs. However, the murder of Lilia García illustrates the challenges that not only the security forces, but also politics in Mexico.

While the outrageous data on violence and murder in Mexico continues to increase, the political dimension is also not to be neglected. Politicians, especially at the local level, often stand in the crosshairs of criminal organizations who try to gain or keep influence on politics. This dynamic leads to a tragic reality in which the security of public service and civil society is increasingly at risk. Further background to the political situation in Mexico can be found on the website of the BMZ