New state tourism minister assassinated in Mexico
MEXICO CITY (AP) - Authorities in Mexico's western Jalisco state say the recently appointed state tourism minister has been assassinated.
State officials say Jose de Jesus Gallegos Alvarez was shot Saturday while driving in Zapopan outside Guadalajara, which is Mexico's second-largest city.
State Government General Secretary Arturo Zamora says a preliminary investigation indicates that the attack may to have to do with Gallegos' private business dealings and not his recent appointment as Jalisco's tourism secretary.
Jalisco attracts many tourists as the birthplace of popular Mexican traditions, including mariachi music and tequila production.
Local political and police officials are often targets of assassinations in Mexico, but rarely tourism officials.
President Enrique Pena Nieto has condemned the attack in his Twitter account and says he has ordered a thorough investigation.