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Arrests Made After Mexican Mayor Shot Dead


FILE - Gisela Mota waves during her swearing in ceremony as mayor of Temixco, Morelos State, Mexico, Jan. 1, 2016.
FILE - Gisela Mota waves during her swearing in ceremony as mayor of Temixco, Morelos State, Mexico, Jan. 1, 2016.

Authorities have arrested three suspects, including a minor, after a mayor of a Mexican city was killed less than 24 hours after her inauguration.

Gisela Mota, a former federal lawmaker, was killed at her home in Temixco by gunmen.

In addition to those arrested, two other suspects were killed in clashes with police.

The Los Angeles Times reports the gunmen were paid $29,000 to kill Mota and the killing was the work of the The Reds drug gang.

Motra's leftist Democratic Revolution Party said in a statement Mota was "a strong and brave woman who on taking office as mayor, declared that her fight against crime would be frontal and direct."

Bishop Ramon Castro said he thought Mota's murder likely served as a "warning to other mayors... If you don't cooperate with organized crime, look at what will happen to you."

The Association of Local Mexican Authorities said on Twitter that more than 1,000 public municipal servants have been killed since 2006, mainly by organized crime.

Temixco is about 100 kilometers south of Mexico's capital and borders Cuernavaca, a resort that has experienced kidnappings and extortion linked to organized crime.

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