Mayor Gisela Mota Assassinated Her First Day in Office in Mexico

Mayor Gisela Mota was assassinated in Mexico less than a day after taking office in Temixco.

Mota, 33, who won election for mayor in June, took office on New Year's Day, said Mexico News Daily, before four gunmen barged into her home, firing on the occupants.

Two of the gunmen were killed and two others were arrested after Mota's bodyguards gave chase.

Mota served as a federal deputy for the Democratic Revolution Party from 2012 to 2015,

Temixco is located in Morelos, about 60 miles south of Mexico City and has a population of nearly 100,000, noted 

Several mayors were killed in Mexico last year, often financed by the local drug trade that controls those communities, said broadcaster TeleSUR.

Morelos Gov. Graco Ramirez issued a statement on Twitter, which translated to: "I have been informed about an attack on the mayor of Temixco Gisela Mota, young and beloved companion. This is a challenge of delinquency. We will not relent."

Mexican media reported on Sunday that authorities believe Los Rojos, an organized crime group, was behind Mota's death. Los Rojos or The Reds, have been suspected in other violent crimes, noted the broadcaster.

One of the suspects connected with the shooting reportedly told authorities that six hitmen were given $30,000 to kill the new mayor. It wasn't clear whether each gunman was paid the sum or if it was a lump payment given to the group of attackers.

The Los Rojos gang is a faction of the Gulf Cartel, which is connected with fugitive drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel. The Sinaloa Cartel and its rivals the Los Zetas reportedly are the most violent drug gangs in Mexico.


Related Stories:

• El Chapo Escape Arrests of 13 Include Ex-National Prison Chief
  
• El Chapo's Beauty Queen Wife a No. 1-Priority Surveillance Target