While news of the recapture of drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán has been all over the media, a story about the assassination of Gisela Mota, 33, the day after she took office in the Morelos town of Temixco reveals far more about the state of politics and organized crime in Mexico.

From The Guardian:

The murder of an idealistic young politician less than a day after she took office has shocked a country accustomed to extreme violence, even against its elected officials. … The case demonstrates the violence which shadows the country’s local politics – a murky world where symbiotic relationships are forged between lawmakers and organised crime for financial gain, political power – or simply to stay alive.

And it has cast a spotlight on the grim conditions in Morelos. Mexico’s second smallest state lies just south of the capital and was once considered an oasis for its pleasant climate and cobblestoned colonial towns, but is now known as one of the most violent parts of the country. … “Gisela wanted to do things differently, and that can obviously generate a reaction in those accustomed to corruption,” said Anastasio Solís, her former campaign manager.

So many political, criminal or business interests stood to gain from Mota’s death, said Solís, that he feared police would struggle to find the real motive.

Read more.

—Posted by Natasha Hakimi Zapata

 Wait, before you go…

If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.

Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.

Support Truthdig
In this Article:
#el chapo#mexico#organized crime#politics