Mayor found among 4 people shot dead in central Mexico; A prominent vineyard owner was killed in a separate incident

The mayor of the central Mexican state of San Luis Potosi, who was a member of the ruling Morena party, was shot dead on Sunday along with three other people, while a prominent vineyard owner was killed in another central region, local authorities said.

Jesus Eduardo Franco, the mayor of Tancanhues, and the three other victims were found dead inside a car, according to police. State Attorney’s Office.

Morena party leader Rita Rodriguez said: “We deeply regret the death of our colleague Eduardo Franco, mayor of Tancanhues.” he wrote on social media.

She added: “We call on the authorities to reach final consequences and find those responsible.”

Politicians, especially at the local level, often Falling victim to bloodshed Linked to corruption and the multi-billion dollar drug trade. Earlier this month, he was a member of the Mexican Congress who was a member of the ruling coalition He was shot dead In the coastal state of Veracruz.

In October, he was mayor Killed and beheaded In the southern state of Guerrero. The following month, he was a former prosecutor and local police official Arrested Regarding the horrific murder.

A wine businessman is killed in central Mexico

Meanwhile, a prominent vineyard owner was murdered in Mexico Guanajuato stateThe central region is plagued by violence linked to organized crime, authorities said on Sunday.

Ricardo Vega was the owner of the Cuna de Tierra vineyard located in the town of Dolores Hidalgo.

“I deeply regret and strongly condemn the cowardly murder of Ricardo Vega,” Mauricio Trejo, mayor of the nearby city of San Miguel de Allende, wrote on the social media network X. He added: “Insecurity prevails in Guanajuato.”

Frequented by American tourists, the colonial-era San Miguel de Allende is part of an area rich in arts and cultural festivals.

The Mexican Wine Council, an organization of the country’s winemakers, expressed sadness at Vega’s death and described him as a “visionary leader and tireless advocate for Mexican wine.”

Local newspaper AM reported that Vega was attacked on Saturday by armed men while he was driving his truck in the area. She added that the murder is under investigation.

More than 450,000 people have been killed and thousands missing since the Mexican government deployed the army to combat drug trafficking in 2006, according to official figures.