Newly installed Mexican mayor killed in her home

Gisela Mota reportedly attacked at her home by four armed gunmen

Gisela Mota was murdered by gunmen at her home on January 2nd, 2016, a day after taking the office. Photograph: EPA
Gisela Mota was murdered by gunmen at her home on January 2nd, 2016, a day after taking the office. Photograph: EPA

The newly installed mayor of the Mexican city of Temixco south of the capital was killed on Saturday, according to a tweet from Morelos state Governor Graco Ramirez.

Gisela Mota formally took office with the new year on Friday. Mexico City newspaper EL Universal said she was attacked at her home by four armed gunmen.

Local police later arrested two alleged attackers, while killing two others, according to a statement issued by the Morelos attorney general’s office. The statement did not provide further details of the attack.

Several mayors were killed last year in Mexico, where armed gangs financed by the drugs trade control many local communities.

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Temixco, located some 100 km south of Mexico City, has a population of about 100,000.

Ms Mota, a former federal member of Congress, belonged to the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution.