Mexican mayor killed in municipal building, months after surviving assassination attempt

The mayor of Temoac, Mexico, Valentin Lavin, has been assassinated, shot and killed within the municipal government building. This tragic event follows a previous assassination attempt that Lavin survived only months earlier, in January. The killing took place in Temoac, located in the state of Morelos, a region known to be active with multiple drug cartels.

Lavin, a member of the leftist party aligned with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, was found dead by forensic and police teams inside the municipal offices. State prosecutors confirmed the discovery and stated that an investigation is underway to apprehend those responsible for his death. The incident highlights the persistent violence plaguing many parts of Mexico.

Official data indicates a grim reality for local leaders in Mexico. Since the escalation of drug cartel-related violence in 2006, nearly 100 mayors have been killed. The current administration, which took office in October 2024, has already seen 14 mayors assassinated, including three in the year 2026 alone.