Mayor rescued after abduction in Mexico’s ‘silver capital’

Mexican security forces rescued the mayor of Taxco, a major tourist destination dubbed the country’s “silver capital”, after he and his father were kidnapped.

Mayor Juan Andrés Vega Carranza was found alongside his father, Juan Vega Arredondo, after both went missing over the weekend in the Guerrero state town.

Vega Carranza had set out to search for his father, a hospital director, after his vehicle was discovered abandoned Saturday, daily newspaper El Financiero reported.

Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said on X that authorities located both men and are continuing efforts to arrest those responsible, with support from the defence ministry, navy and national guard.

“The operation involved coordinated efforts across multiple agencies,” García Harfuch said, adding that the search remains active to bring suspects into custody.

Miners have not escaped the increased violence in Mexico. Canada’s Vizsla Silver (TSX, NYSE: VZLA) is the most recent and dramatic example after 10 workers were abducted from its project in late January. 

Last week, the company confirmed that nine of the 10 missing workers have been found dead. Vancouver-based Vizsla operates the Panuco silver project in Sinaloa, a region known for cartel violence, where authorities say rival factions have driven a surge in attacks that complicate security for businesses and residents.

After the workers’ disappearance, the company suspended work at the project, and its share price has since lost about half its value.

The abductions underscore persistent security challenges in Guerrero, where criminal groups including La Familia Michoacana exert control, even as Mexico intensifies enforcement under pressure from the US and ahead of World Cup soccer matches set for June.

(With files from Bloomberg)