The News

Manuel Velasco Visits Chamula for Mayor’s Funeral

TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, CHIAPAS, 10JULIO2016: Indigenas tsotsiles encapuchados de San Juan Chamula bloquearon la carretera a la altura del retén policiaco en Chiapa de Corzo, exigiendo al gobierno del estado cumpla con los apoyos prometidos a ese pueblo. FOTO: JESÚS GARCÍA /CUARTOSCURO.COM

Chiapas Governor Manuel Velasco Coello went to the municipality of San Juan Chamula, Chiapas, for the funeral of Chamula Mayor Domingo López.

López was killed during a shootout after a protest in front of the municipal palace. Over 2,000 protesters were demanding that the mayor comply with his campaign promises for public works and subsidies when a shootout began, which left protesters and government officials, including the mayor, dead.

López and Velasco Coello are both part of the Green Party (PVEM).

Velasco Coello announced to mourners the establishment of negotiations to achieve peace among the 168 communities of Chamula.

Chiapas Interior Secretary Juan Carlos Gómez Aranda announced that opposition politicians in Chamula are being investigated for inciting the violence that led to the mayor’s death.