The province’s Attorney General's Office reported that the armed attack occurred on Saturday night in a restaurant. Mayor Guillermo Torres Roja and his 14-years-old son were injured and taken to the hospital, where the mayor died.
“It is with sorrow that we received the sad news of the passing of Guillermo Torres Rojas, municipal president of Churumuco. Our most sincere condolences to his family, friends and community at this difficult time. We will not rest until these unfortunate events are solved and those responsible are brought to justice,” said Michoacán’s Governor Alfredo RamĂrez Bedolla.
So far there are no further details about the reasons behind the attack. The Michoacán Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation.
Several criminal cartels operate in Michoacan, such as Carteles Unidos and the Jalisco Cartel - New Generation. Local organizations report that Michoacán tops the list of states with the highest number of violent events related to elections since 2023.
Security in Churumuco is currently in the hands of military and Civil Guard personnel after the Municipal Police left their position at the beginning of the year following the loss of nearly 30 police-owned weapons that, according to TV Azteca, could now be in the hands of drug traffickers.
