Cartel-related murders continue to take place in Jalisco. Less than two weeks after the chief of police in Teocaltiche was killed by alleged cartel members, City Council Secretary José Luis Pereida was fatally shot outside a seafood restaurant near the city center on Monday.
According to the Jalisco Attorney General's Office, the shooting took place around 5 p.m. as Pereida was dining at a local restaurant. Authorities said a man on a motorcycle opened fire on the official and fled the scene after hitting his target.
"José Luis was a young man dedicated to his community — hardworking and generous. His death leaves a deep void for his family, friends and the people of Teocaltiche," Laura Haro, president of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) in Jalisco, wrote on social media.
"We condemn his coward killing. To the state and federal authorities responsible for public safety, we demand justice, a swift investigation and stronger security efforts in this municipality, which continues to suffer from violence," she added.
So far no arrests have been reported in connection to Pereida's killing.
Teocaltiche public servants continue to be targeted
Earlier this month, local media reported the murder of Ramón Grande Moncada, chief of police in Teocaltiche.
According to the Jalisco Attorney General's Office, Moncada was attacked by an unidentified gunman near the Maravillas neighborhood. He was in a vehicle when the suspect opened fire, striking him three times and killing him before fleeing the scene.
Moncada's murder took place just hours after state and federal authorities confiscated a property in the area that was used by criminal groups to stash stolen vehicles and other goods and valued at approximately $2 million.
In an effort to raise awareness of the wave of violence plaguing the region following Moncada's death, the Teocaltiche Municipal Administration posted a message on its official Facebook account expressing outrage over the recent events. The statement reflected growing public frustration with the security situation in northern Jalisco and called for an immediate and strong response from state and federal authorities.
"The people of Teocaltiche cannot continue living in fear, violence, and pain," the statement read. "Today, we raise our voices with deep helplessness and outrage over the tragedies that have struck our community time and time again. Enough of the deaths! Enough of the suffering of our families! Enough of being ignored!" the statement said.
Cartel-related violence wreaks havoc in Jalisco
The municipality of Teocaltiche is located in a region of Jalisco long contested by two major drug cartels over smuggling routes. While the state is considered a stronghold of the C'artel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), the Sinaloa Cartel maintains a significant presence in the Los Altos region, less than 20 miles east of Guadalajara.
In recent months, residents have reported multiple incidents of violence and forced displacement due to ongoing clashes between the rival criminal organizations.
The killing of Pereida is the latest in a series of attacks on public servants in the area. Earlier this month, municipal police officer Luis Ernesto Chávez Regino was shot and killed at his home on April 9.
Similarly, in February, eight local police officers were reported missing. As of now, only three have been found.
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