In a neighborhood plagued by crime, a politician was shot and killed while dining at a seafood restaurant.
Jose Luis Pereira, the Secretary General of the Teocaltiche City Council, was fatally shot on Monday around 4:57 p.m. at a restaurant in Jalisco state. By the time medical responders arrived, Pereira had already passed away, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Senator Alejandro Moreno condemned the “cowardly murder” of Pereira, criticizing both the state and federal governments for their inability to address the rising violence in the region. He called the lack of action a contributing factor to yet another tragic loss of life.
Moreno also urged authorities to take immediate action, emphasizing that the people of Mexico should not live in constant fear of gang violence. He pointed out the escalating insecurity and demanded justice and stronger efforts to combat organized crime that has taken control of entire areas.
The death of Pereira follows the recent shooting of Ramón Grande Moncada, the local police chief, just two weeks earlier.
The Teocaltiche Municipal Administration expressed outrage over the latest tragedy on their official Facebook page, stating that the community could no longer endure the fear, violence, and loss. “Enough of the deaths! Enough of the suffering of our families!” the statement declared. “We can’t and shouldn’t get used to living like this.”
They called for justice, security, and respect, pointing out that indifference to their suffering was a form of violence in itself.
Jalisco state has become a hotbed for gang violence, kidnapping, and murder, leading the U.S. government to issue travel advisories for the region. “Violent crime and gang activity are common,” the advisory warns. “Shooting incidents between criminal groups often result in innocent bystanders being injured or killed.”
U.S. officials have been prohibited from traveling in specific areas, including certain regions along the Jalisco-Michoacan border and south of Cocula on Federal Highway 80. Last October, five men were found beheaded on a nearby road.
Official statistics reveal that between January and September 2024, there were 1,415 murders in Jalisco, highlighting the alarming rise in violence in the state.
