New Chilpancingo Mayor Gustavo Alarcón Herrera during his swearing-in ceremony. Photo: Google

By KELIN DILLON

Days after the murder of Chilpancingo Mayor Alejandro Arcos, Gustavo Alarcón Herrera was sworn in as Arcos’ replacement on Thursday, Oct. 10. 

Arcos was found decapitated in the capital of Guerrero – known as one of Mexico’s most violent states – on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Though the investigation into the mayor’s murder is yet to conclude, Arcos’ was allegedly murdered by local organized crime.

The swearing-in ceremony took place in front of the Congress of Guerrero where significant security precautions were taken, including dozens of uniformed and plain-clothes security guards present both inside and outside the congressional building.

Alarcón, who belongs to the conservative Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), previously ran for the Chilpancingo mayorship in several past elections.

Following the ceremony, social organizations and Chilpancingo citizens participated in a march in protest of Arcos’ murder and the continued violence experienced across the entire state.