Asia-Pacific

Mexican mayor found hacked to death

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-09-28 11:33

MEXICO CITY -  The mayor of Tancitaro, a small town in the central Mexican state Michoacan, was found hacked to death, the State Attorney's Office told Mexican broadcaster Milenio.

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Gustavo Sanchez was found dead alongside Rafael Equihua, his adviser on agricultural matters. They were left in the back seat of a Ford Lobo truck, with hands tied and cut repeatedly in the face.

Sanchez's death comes just four days after gunmen killed Prisciliano Rodriguez Salinas, mayor in Doctor Gonzalez, a small town in the northern Mexican state Nuevo Leon.

At least 10 mayors had died in attacks linked to the nation's drug cartels this year, Mexican political parties said.

In response to recent deaths, Mexican President Felipe Calderon condemned the murders and restated his commitment to fight against organized crime. An estimated 28,000 people have been killed by drug gangs since Calderon beefed up crackdowns on cartels in late 2006.