On April 28, 2025, José Luis Pereida Robles, the Secretary General of the Teocaltiche City Council, was fatally shot while dining at a restaurant in Teocaltiche, Jalisco, Mexico, shortly before 5 p.m. local time. Two assailants on a motorcycle fired at close range before fleeing. Upon arrival, police and medical personnel confirmed that Robles “no longer had vital signs.”
Teocaltiche, a town of around 40,000 residents in northeastern Jalisco, approximately 100 miles northeast of Guadalajara, was unsettled by the incident at the El Ranger seafood restaurant in the Tavares neighborhood.
Robles, aged 35, held a law degree from the University of Guadalajara and had been leading the local PRI’s (political party) municipal committee since January 2024. Council member Óscar Vital was present during the attack but was not harmed.
The Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation to determine the motive behind the shooting. However, no arrests have been made to date. Authorities have not clarified if the killing was linked to Robles’ council duties or broader security concerns in the region.
The assassination occurred two weeks following the murder of Teocaltiche Chief of Police Ramón Grande Moncada, 50, who was shot when an alleged gang member approached his vehicle and opened fire on April 15. Moncada was hit three times and died on the spot, while his wife survived after receiving medical treatment for her injuries.
That same night, federal and state authorities confiscated a property in Teocaltiche used by criminal groups to store stolen vehicles and goods worth over $2 million, according to local sources.
In February, eight municipal police officers were abducted, and the remains of four were later discovered in plastic bags along a highway, prompting the state government to take control of the local police force.
Security experts suggest that violence in Jalisco has intensified as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel expanded its influence in recent years. In February, President Donald Trump classified the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization to impose stricter sanctions on its leaders and financial operations.
The danger to public officials is not limited to Jalisco. In October, the body of Alejandro Arcos, mayor of Chilpancingo, Guerrero, was found in his pickup truck, with his head placed on the hood. A former prosecutor and local police official identified as German “N” was arrested in relation to that murder, local authorities reported.
The Teocaltiche City Council issued a statement expressing regret over Robles’ death and recognizing his commitment to public service. The council stated it “deeply regretted the passing” of its secretary general and added, “His courage and dedication left an indelible mark on our community.”
In Mexico City, members of the Chamber of Deputies observed a moment of silence for Robles at the request of PRI coordinator Rubén Moreira Valdez, underscoring concerns about the safety of local officials working in areas plagued by cartel violence.
Local activist groups and families of missing persons have united under the banner Frente Teocaltiche por Nuestra Gente to protest against the climate of impunity. They are urging federal and state authorities to enhance patrols and ensure accountability, and some residents have formed neighborhood watch groups despite fears of reprisals.
Residents informed El País that daily life is characterized by uncertainty, with people avoiding routine outings and organizing travel in groups. Many expressed that the violence has eroded their sense of community and security.
The Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office has committed to pursuing all leads in its investigation into Robles’ murder. As evidence is gathered and witnesses are questioned, local and national officials will await developments in a case that highlights the significant challenges facing municipal governments in cartel-affected areas.
