november mexican physician politician served mayor small town mexican state spite failed assassination attempts tenure mayor continued outspoken fight organized crime fourth attack kidnapped assassinated suspected drug november home violent drug trafficking organizations career born small town state mexico attended san earned phd medicine began political career joining served mayor office survived assassination attempts ran elected returned office mayor differences urged resign left party joined august said catholic faith influenced approach duties politician described heroine 21st century opposition mexico drug refusing bribes children husband killed october attack later married assassination attempts background elected mayor drug trafficking organizations particularly based area leading producer marijuana poppy making lucrative route taking united_states despite receiving threats publicly denounced activities groups drug constantly fighting territorial control target confront corrupted mexico municipalities far capital cities lack amenities available parts country areas plagued drug related violence political parties faced difficulties finding people interested holding post mayor launched country military led operation ongoing drug war days took office december military campaign spread states mexico eventually including federal agents years past taking passive stance drug decided time government muscles violence exploded country leaving death toll years numerous journalists killed start drug war members federal police accused human rights abuses causing forced organized crime groups criminal longer focusing solely drug trafficking operate kidnapping rings protection engage piracy human trafficking force local population pay protection spy report suspicious activities law enforcement presence argued acted mexico state drug trafficking organizations impose law sure tomorrow remember days moment country took decision defend force criminal phenomenon dimensions said november ceremony fallen soldiers successor pledged continue fight plans adjust strategy reduce level violence attacks january months took office husband travelling near rural community automobile ran road incident gunmen threatened shooting air warning resign late january rural area couple attacked armed received minor injuries prevent continuing public lives attack occurred october ambushed driving husband group armed men opened fire left vehicle phone ran protect husband shot died day gunshot wounds survived gunmen believed dead months later announced willing work returned duties mayor contacted leaders ask protection encountered difficulties including unanswered phone calls attack january attacked armed men guerrero returning local event people severely injured bullet wounds abdomen chest leg taken local hospital injured driver vehicle shot twice head journalist addition bullet wounds suffered injuries vehicle crashed shooting wounds left constant pain use bag refused resign post mayor publicly displayed wounds photographs published issue magazine repeated statement continue work wanted wounded mutilated body ashamed result marked life living testimony strong woman despite physical mental wounds continues standing left joined august stating supported attacks ran election failed elected end term mayor retired politics returned private life remarried dedicated time raise children police protection came end mayoral term expired assassination november driving daughter school vehicle ran road armed men descended vehicle forced car watched pleaded let daughter unharmed agreed family mayor initially thought ransom kidnapping hearing days notified police november police identified body farm workers rural community found corpse way work post reports indicated died traumatic brain injury result severe blows head governor said organized crime undoubtedly involved buried alongside husband tomb local cemetery hometown
María Santos Gorrostieta Salazar