Mexican mayor slain in drug-plagued state

Army soldiers walk by the body of a man lying in the street in Acapulco, Mexico, on Thursday. Authorities say seven people were killed in a shootout between rival drug gangs. Photo: AP.

Authorities say gunmen have killed the mayor of a northern Mexican town, adding to a string of attacks on political figures in the drug—plagued region.

The Nuevo Leon state Attorney General’s Office says Prisciliano Rodriguez Salinas was gunned down along with another employee of the town named Doctor Gonzalez, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of Monterrey.

Rival gangs have been battling to control drug routes through Nuevo Leon and neighbouring border states.

Gunmen killed another Monterrey area mayor in August after. In June, gunmen killed the leading gubernatorial candidate in neighbouring Tamaulipas state. A mayoral candidate was slain there in May. A mayor in San Luis Potosi state was killed this month.