Third Mayor Murdered in Mexico in Two Weeks

Mayor of Small Town Had Suffered Previous Attacks Last Year

Jose Santa Maria Zavala had suffered an attack in September 2015. (La Prensa)

EspañolThree mayors have been killed in 10 days in México.
The first was the Mayor of San Juan Chamula, Chiapas Domingo López González on the morning of July 23, and the second was Pungarabato, Michoacan Mayor Ambrosio Soto Duarte, who was killed the same day.
Following those events, Huehuetlán El Grande Mayor Santa Maria José Zavala was ambushed and killed late Monday, August 1 when he returned from his home accompanied by a private secretary. One million pesos (US$53,078) were reportedly stolen.
México’s Attorney General reported that officials believe the motive for the murder might have been an attempt to steal the city council payroll.
After the assault on the mayor in 2015, no extraordinary measures to protect him were ordered. According to neighbors of Huehuetlán El Grande, he used to travel alone by the same route where he died.

The attack was committed around midnight on Monday in Tonale. Santa Maria Zavala was traveling as a passenger when at least four men placed stones and a vehicle at kilometer 10 of the Tecali-Valsequillo state road.
At least six shots with a nine millimeter weapon were taken — two in the truck hit the side where Santa Maria Zavala was and another four wounded him. He received at least two shots in the head and died instantly.
According to the testimony of the person who accompanied the mayor, the theft was not completed because there was no money to take.
Inhabitants of Huehuetlán El Grande described Joseph Santa Maria Zavala — who took office with the Citizens Movement Party — as a hard worker, country guy, simple and sensible, and said they had no serious problems with his leadership.
Source: El Universal