Cozumel, Q..R. — On Saturday, Cozumel head Pedro Joaquín Delbouis confirmed the death of a city official. On social media, Delbouis posted “Pedro Joaquín Delbouis and family. They join in the grief of the Partida Esparza and Tah Santos families for the death of Alfredo Partida Esparza. Rest in Peace.”
On Friday afternoon, the municipal official was shot several times while driving in his car. Reports say Partida Esparza was on his way home when he was intercepted by men on a motorcycle who shot at him.
On Saturday, Delbouis said “a few moments ago our colleague Alfredo Partida passed away. With the sorrow that all his co-workers, friends and family feel, I reiterate my indignation and sadness over the attack yesterday that took his life today.”
Delbouis referred to Partida as a friend and businessman. He was an official of the Cozumel City Council and a member of the Delbouis political campaign team, as Delbouis is actively seeking reelection for the Cozumel mayor position.
“They always operate in the same way, they start by trying to erode the legitimacy of the state through terror and corruption.
“Alfredo’s murder is not only a violation of the right to life and physical integrity, it represents a serious obstacle to the exercise of democracy.”
Pedro Joaquín argued that the task of defending democracy never ends and that this cowardly murder shows that for these groups there is no respect for human life.
“I invite the candidates who will participate in the June 6 elections to understand that this is a competition within the full framework of civility that has always characterized us and that proposals for a better Cozumel cannot be measured with blood spilled in their streets,” he said.
The State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) has since reported an investigation has begun into the murder of Partida Esparza.
