Mexican mayor dies from stroke after ambush

Mexico City, Nov 8 (IANS/EFE) The mayor of a Mexican city died from a heart attack after being ambushed, beaten and robbed on a highway by gunmen, officials said.

Jaime Lozoya Avila, mayor of San Bernardo city, died at a hospital after he, his secretary and one of his daughters were attacked Friday by gunmen, who took his luxury SUV and other belongings, the attorney general’s office said.

Avila was the 13th mayor murdered this year in Mexico, where drug cartels have been targeting municipal and state officials in different parts of the country.

Unlike the other mayors, Avila was not killed on the spot or kidnapped.

Nearly 30,000 people have died in drug-related violence since President Felipe Calderon declared war on drug cartels shortly after taking office in December 2006.

–IANS/EFE