Daniel Picazo, 31, was attacked and beaten by a mob of around 200 people in the central state of Puebla.
A Mexican political adviser has been killed by a mob of lynchers after accusations of child abduction were aired on messaging groups, authorities say.
He was visiting the town of Papatlazolco when he was cornered by a mob, before being dragged into a local field and set on fire.
Local officials called the attack an act of “barbarism”.
Mr Picazo was visiting his grandfather’s house in the town when rumors began to spread on local WhatsApp group chats that he had been involved in the kidnapping of a child.
According to local media, the mob then cornered and attacked Mr Picazo and his two companions, before dragging him into a local field.
Police tried to intervene and put him in a patrol car, but were quickly overwhelmed by villagers, who doused Mr Picazo with petrol before setting him on fire.
His body was later recovered by authorities.
In a statement, the city council said it “strongly disapproves of this act and reiterates that criminal behavior must be judged according to the procedures of our rule of law”.
“Relevant authorities are already investigating what happened to determine responsibility,” officials added.
Authorities have yet to arrest anyone in connection with the attack, local media reported.
Mr Picazo served as an adviser to Mexico’s legislative body, the Chamber of Deputies, until March 2022.
Congresswoman Johanna Torress said Mr. Picazo had been “a talented and dedicated young man, committed to his country and with big dreams in life.”
“I pray to God for his rest and for the good of his family,” she added.
The National Action Party, one of the largest parties in the assembly, said it wanted “justice in the face of this unfortunate event”.
Mob justice is not uncommon in parts of Mexico, especially in more remote areas where police are slow to arrive, and Mr. Picazo is the second person to be lynched in Puebla state this year.
In 2019, seven men were beaten and burned to death by a mob in the state.
via BBC
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