Mayor-elect of Copala, Guerrero Assassinated Early Monday

Salvador Villalba Flores, the recently elected mayor of Copala, Guerrero, was assassinated on a bus near Acapulco early Monday. Villalba, a retired Navy captain, was shot in the head by assailants who identified him using a photo on a smartphone. This assassination is part of a broader trend of violence against political figures in Mexico, with Data Civica reporting at least 34 political candidates murdered around the June 2 elections. Villalba decided to run for office after his friend was murdered in June 2023, following threats from a local politician. Despite being offered money to drop out of the race, Villalba continued his campaign and won 39% of the vote. The Guerrero state prosecutor's office has launched an investigation but has not released further details.