Judge Fatally Shot in Acapulco Amid Ongoing Violence in Guerrero State

 

A judge was shot and killed on Wednesday, December 11, in Acapulco, a city once renowned for its luxury and tourism but now notorious for escalating violence. The Guerrero state prosecutor’s office confirmed the incident, identifying the victim as Edmundo Román Pinzón, president of the Superior Court of Justice in Guerrero state.

Local reports state that Román Pinzón was shot multiple times while inside his car, parked outside a courthouse in Acapulco. The prosecutor’s office announced an investigation into the “aggravated homicide” but, following protocol, withheld the judge’s full name in their official statement.

This tragic incident is the latest in a series of violent events plaguing Guerrero state. In October, the newly elected mayor of Chilpancingo was brutally murdered and decapitated, while recent weeks have seen deadly clashes between suspected gang members and security forces, resulting in 19 fatalities. Last month, authorities discovered a dozen dismembered bodies in vehicles in Chilpancingo.

Acapulco, once a hub for Hollywood stars and affluent travelers, has seen its reputation as a tourist haven eroded due to pervasive violence tied to drug cartels. The city is now ranked among the most dangerous globally, discouraging international visitors.

The judge’s killing occurred shortly after President Claudia Sheinbaum convened a meeting of the National Public Security Council in Acapulco, which was attended by governors from across Mexico.

Since Mexico launched its crackdown on organized crime in 2006, the country has witnessed over 450,000 murders, with much of the violence attributed to cartel activities. President Sheinbaum, who took office in October as Mexico’s first female president, has distanced herself from the militarized “war on drugs” strategy. Instead, she is continuing former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s “hugs not bullets” approach, focusing on addressing crime through social welfare programs.

Despite these efforts, Guerrero remains one of Mexico’s most violent regions, recording 1,890 murders in 2023 alone. The killing of Judge Román Pinzón underscores the persistent security challenges facing the state and the broader nation.