In Chilpancingo Mexico‚ a crowd of white-clad protesters marched through the streets chanting against violence. This demonstration came after the shocking decapitation of Alejandro Arcos the citys 43-year-old mayor (which happened roughly two weeks ago)
The brutal killing has left many doubting whether Claudia Sheinbaum Mexicos newly-sworn-in president can effectively tackle the cartel-led violence thats plagued the country for over a decade. Doreli Vega a 30-year-old mother expressed her frustration: “We really dont want hugs not bullets“ referring to the previous administrations approach. She added “They feel they have the power to do whatever they want and we really havent seen the change that they promised for the security of our people“
Just a few days ago another local mayor Roman Ruiz Bohorquez was stabbed to death at his home in Oaxaca state. These murders are part of a larger trend: in the first two weeks of Sheinbaumʼs presidency‚ there were 1‚247 homicide victims according to pollster TResearchs analysis
Sheinbaum is trying to balance her predecessors social approach with improved intelligence sharing and a stronger National Guard. However‚ critics argue that the previous “hugs not bullets“ strategy allowed cartels to strengthen and expand. During the last administration‚ almost 200000 people were homicide victims – an average of one every 15 minutes
The violence has taken its toll on Chilpancingos economy. Ivan Salgado Ramirez president of the towns business chamber stated “The idea of an entrepreneur is to grow or reinvest‚ and at this moment we do not have the confidence to do so“
As the protest march reached the towns main plaza it had grown to about a thousand people. The cathedral bells rang as mass began to honor the slain mayor. When asked if they thought Sheinbaum would make life safer an older couple shook their heads. The woman replied “Unfortunately not. We can only trust in God“