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Cuauhtemoc Blanco fears for life amid accusation of instructing murder

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From a hunger strike to an accusation of orchestrating a murder, Cuauhtemoc Blanco's political career is becoming more surreal by the day.

Blanco, Mexico's second-top scorer of all time, admitted Wednesday that he fears for his life after being accused of instructing the murder of Juan Manuel Garcia Bejarano, a 25-year-old who was shot dead on April 6 in Cuernavaca, Mexico, where the former footballer is the mayor. The accusation was made by the alleged murderer.

Bejarano was a businessman and concessionaire of the Feria de la Primavera Cuernavaca, the city's annual festival. He was shot and killed amid the festivities.

"Yes I'm afraid, for my life, for my family, but here I am, son, I remain firm, this on the contrary still gives me strength to keep fighting these injustices, which are really an aberration and a disease," Blanco said, according to Aristegui Noticias.

A statement was issued by Blanco on April 13. He referred to the accusation as "unfounded" and "absurd," and categorically denied any imputation of being involved in the murder.

In 2015, Blanco became the mayor of Cuernavaca, a colonial city in the state of Morelos. He ran as a candidate for the Partido Social Democrata.

Blanco repeatedly clashes with Graco Ramirez, the state's governor who, while speaking to students at the University of South California, alleged the murderer comes from a cartel that operates in Jalisco, Mexico.

"Involving me with a homicide and with the criminal is something very strong," Blanco said, according to ESPN. "I don't know how far the governor and his son are going to go. And they're going to keep bugging me until they can remove me. But as always I will continue defending."

One day after the murder of Gisela Mota - who had been elected as the mayor of Temixco, Mexico - Blanco said Ramirez will be to blame if he's killed by an organised crime group. The words came after Blanco opted against including Cuernavaca as part of Mando Unico, the governor's security plan which allows state police into the municipality. Per teleSUR, nearly 100 mayors have been targeted for assassination since 2006.

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