Murder of Apaseo el Grande Municipal Secretary During Basketball Game

Web Editor

July 6, 2025

a yellow caution tape is in front of a tree and a building in the background with a building across

Background and Relevance of the Victim

Ignacio Alejandro Roaro, the secretary of Apaseo el Grande’s municipal government in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, was tragically killed on a Saturday afternoon while watching an amateur basketball game. This incident highlights the escalating violence in Guanajuato, one of Mexico’s most dangerous states due to criminal organization activities.

The Incident

Roaro was shot by armed individuals who stormed a sports center filled with spectators, including families with children. The municipal government strongly condemned the “cruel, cowardly, and vile attack” in a statement, mourning the loss of their colleague and friend.

Subsequent Developments

Later that night, local authorities reported the arrest of an armed man who might be connected to the attack. Guanajuato, a significant industrial hub in central Mexico with popular tourist destinations and auto assembly plants like Mazda and Toyota, has unfortunately become one of the deadliest states in Mexico due to criminal organization violence.

Violent Trends in Guanajuato

On the night of June 23, during San Juan’s festivities, an armed attack left eleven people dead. In 2024, Guanajuato recorded 3,151 homicides, accounting for just over 10% of the total homicides reported nationwide the previous year.

A substantial portion of the violent incidents in Guanajuato is linked to the ongoing conflict between the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación, one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations, and the Santa Rosa de Lima group.

Key Questions and Answers

  • Who was Ignacio Alejandro Roaro? He was the municipal secretary of Apaseo el Grande, a town in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico.
  • What happened to him? Roaro was killed when armed individuals attacked a sports center where he was watching an amateur basketball game.
  • Why is this incident significant? It underscores the escalating violence in Guanajuato, one of Mexico’s most dangerous states due to criminal organization activities.
  • What is the context of violence in Guanajuato? The state has experienced a high number of homicides, with over 3,151 reported in 2024. This violence is largely attributed to the conflict between the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación and the Santa Rosa de Lima group.