By Samuel Miller
Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, North America and Oceania
CONCEPCION, Guatemala — The mayor of Guatemala’s western town of Concepcion was killed in an apparent retaliatory mob lynching over an earlier attack on the mayor’s political opponent. The residents believed he was behind an earlier attack in which two women were killed and five other people injured.
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Guatemala is one of the most violent countries in Latin America; however, the lynching of an elected official is considered rare.
The incident began last month when Juracan defeated former mayoral candidate Lorenzo Sequen in Concepcion’s mayoral race. After losing the election, Sequen accused Juracan of mismanagement and demanded an investigation into Concepcion’s finances.
Villagers blamed Juracan for an attack on Sunday on Sequen, who was riding in a pickup with relatives when about 10 armed and masked men opened fire. His daughter and niece were killed, and at least five others, including Sequen, were wounded.
When news spread of the attack on Sequen, angry residents began searching for Juracan, who they believed was behind the attack.
The angry mob tracked down began burning houses belonging to Juracan’s family, until they found the mayor at his home. They dragged him out, beat him and set him alight. Police arrived too late to save Mr. Juracan.
According to the Latino Post, Guatemala is considered to be the most violent non-war zone on the planet. Additionally, this is not the first instance of political instability within the country.
Earlier this year, President Otto Perez Molina stood down after Congress voted to strip him of his immunity. Mr. Perez Molina is accused of involvement in a case known as “La Linea”, named after a hotline businesses allegedly called to access corrupt officials.
According to figures issued recently by the state’s National Institute of Forensic Sciences, there were 2,343 murders reported in Guatemala between January and May. In 2014, there was an average of 15.5 homicides per day.
Rural parts of Guatemala often see vigilante killings because of the lack of police officials in the areas. Guatemala belongs to one of the most violent countries in Latin America, and gun crime in particular is widespread in the country.
A national police spokesman, Jorge Aguilar, said 50 officers had been sent to patrol the village, where burnt cars remained in the streets on Monday.
For more information, please see:
Harvard Political Review — Fed Up in Guatemala – 13 October 2015
Latino Post – Guatemalan Mayor Beaten & Burned Alive by Vengeful Mob – 13 October 2015
UPI — Guatemalan mayor beaten, burned alive by revenge-driven angry mob – 13 October 2015
BBC News — Guatemalan mayor lynched by crowd over attack on rival – 12 October 2015