A shocking incident shook Acapulco on Wednesday when a judge was tragically killed outside a courthouse. Local reports identified the victim as Edmundo Roman Pinzon, president of Guerrero state’s Superior Court of Justice. Authorities say he was shot at least four times while sitting in his car.
A City Struggling with Violence
Acapulco, once a glamorous beach destination, has become one of the world’s most dangerous cities due to rising organized crime. Guerrero state, where Acapulco is located, has been grappling with extreme violence this year.
In October, the mayor of Chilpancingo, the state’s capital, was brutally murdered just days after taking office. Following that, several other mayors requested federal protection out of fear for their lives.
Weeks later, deadly clashes between suspected gang members and security forces left 19 people dead. Just last month, authorities found a dozen dismembered bodies in cars in Chilpancingo, adding to the state’s growing list of violent incidents.
Political Figures Also Targeted
The violence isn’t limited to judges. On Monday, federal congressman Benito Aguas Atlahua from the Green Party was shot dead in Veracruz state. Investigators are still trying to figure out why he was targeted.
Mexico’s Response to Crime
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, the country’s first female president, recently visited Acapulco for a national security meeting. Despite the rising violence, she has vowed not to repeat Mexico’s past “war on drugs” strategy, which began in 2006 and has led to over 450,000 murders. Instead, she’s sticking with a social policy approach known as “hugs not bullets,” aimed at tackling the root causes of crime.
A Dangerous Trend
Guerrero state recorded nearly 1,900 murders last year. Earlier this year, Catholic bishops even helped broker peace between two warring drug cartels in one part of the state.
Political killings have become alarmingly frequent. In June, three politicians from Guerrero were murdered, including two mayors and a local councilwoman. In a particularly grim episode, a mayor and her bodyguard in western Mexico were killed just hours after President Sheinbaum’s election win.
The situation in Guerrero highlights the grim reality of Mexico’s ongoing struggle with violence. As families mourn and communities grapple with fear, the country faces a tough road ahead in restoring peace and security.
