Kidnapped Small Town Mexican Mayor Found Dead

Heavily armed Mexican soldiers flood the popular tourist town of Santiago.

The body of a kidnapped mayor was found Wednesday dumped along this rural road.

He had been blindfolded with his hands tied - the latest public official to fall victim to attack from increasingly bold drug cartels.

The attorney general in the border state of Nuevo Leon confirmed the body was Mayor Edelmiro Cavazos, and said drug gangs were behind the killing.

Nuevo Leon's governor vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

[Rodrigo Medina, Governor]: (Spanish)
"As governor, I will not lessen any efforts to find and punish those responsible. We are going to demonstrate as a people, once more, that we are stronger and without a doubt, we will come out ahead. Rest in peace Edelmiro Cavazos Leal."

Edelmiro Cavazos was mayor of a town on the outskirts of Monterrey.

The father of three was abducted from his home on Sunday night.

Officials said that Cavazos was probably targeted for his efforts to clean up Santiago's corrupt police force.