An arrest has been made in connection to the murder of a Mexican mayor on Oct. 6. Authorities announced the arrest of former special prosecutor and local police official German Reyes on Tuesday, Nov. 12, in connection with the beheading of a mayor in the southern Guerrero state.
Reyes is now facing charges in the homicide of the late-Mayor Alejandro Arcos. As Straight Arrow News previously reported, the killing took place just a week after Arcos had taken office.
Law enforcement believe Reyes worked in collusion with the gang initially implicated in the murder.
The arrest is sparking concerns that cartel control of the government may be more widespread than previously known. A human rights activist told reporters the Ardillos gang controls large parts of the state and government officials are working for them.
Reyes is a former member of the Mexican military and if he is convicted, it would reportedly be a blow to policy reliant on hiring retired military officer for top local police positions. The hiring model was based on the belief that members of the military were less likely to be corrupted by gang pressure.
Detectives reportedly had to use soldiers and the Mexican National Guard to arrest Reyes, appearing to show a distrust of local law enforcement to do the job.
It’s reportedly unclear if Reyes worked in the city’s security force or if he served under Arcos or the current mayor.
