### Guerrero Prosecutors Accuse Alleged Killer of Chilpancingo Mayor Using Testimony from a Deceased Witness
In a dramatic case that has captured the attention of the nation, the Guerrero State Prosecutor’s Office has charged Germán Reyes Reyes, a former security official in Chilpancingo, with the brutal murder of Alejandro Arcos Catalán, the mayor of Chilpancingo. The accusations are largely based on testimony provided by a deceased witness and an anonymous email.
The murder of Arcos Catalán shocked the community, as he was discovered decapitated on October 6, 2024, only days after assuming office. Reyes, who previously held a key role in law enforcement, was arrested on November 12, 2024, in connection to the crime. During a tense 12.5-hour preliminary hearing, a judge ordered his arrest based on the evidence presented, including a supposedly crucial statement from Domitilo Cándido Pila, who later died under suspicious circumstances.
The prosecution argues that Reyes, allegedly associated with the notorious organized crime group Los Ardillos, orchestrated the murder because the mayor opposed appointing members of the group to governmental positions. The hearing, presided over by Judge Yolanda Mora Silva, was marked by calls for transparency in light of the gravity of the accusations.
As Reyes Reyes remains in custody, awaiting further legal proceedings, the community of Chilpancingo and the broader Mexican public watch closely for developments in this high-profile case, reflective of the ongoing struggle against organized crime in the region.
### Related Developments
The case has sparked wider national debates about security and political integrity in Mexico. Recently, Omar Hamid García Harfuch, the federal Secretary of Public Security and Citizen Protection, indicated that Los Ardillos were also involved in other violent incidents in Chilpancingo, including the execution of 11 people mistakenly identified as rival gang members. This escalation has prompted increased federal military presence in Guerrero, with over 12,000 personnel deployed to counteract the crime wave.
Guerrero’s security landscape remains precarious, with continuous reports of violence fueled by territorial disputes between local criminal factions. With significant narcotics seizures and the destruction of drug plantations, authorities are working tirelessly to restore order, yet the challenges are substantial.
Amid these tensions, Gustavo Alarcón Herrera has taken over as the interim mayor of Chilpancingo, pledging to continue the work of his predecessor despite the perilous circumstances. While echoing the call for justice and increased protection, the situation remains a stark reminder of the dangers facing public servants in regions beset by cartel-inflicted chaos.
As investigations proceed, the community’s hope for justice is matched by calls for comprehensive action against the systemic issues threatening the rule of law in Guerrero and beyond.