Wave of Violence Against Mexican Politicians

A mayor in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato was murdered, amid a wave of violence against local politicians during the electoral season.

The attack, which left three other people injured according to the local prosecutor's office, occurred in the afternoon in the town of San Miguel Octopan in Celaya when Gaytán was preparing to lead a political rally.

The candidate had just begun her proselytizing activities with a press conference, since the electoral campaigns in Guanajuato only began.

In the meeting with the media, Gaytán said that her party had requested protection for the campaign.

The violence linked to organized crime that hits Mexico is reaching politicians from various political parties, especially those who hold or aspire to obtain municipal and state positions.

The reasons range from attempts by mafias to subdue the candidates to disputes between local power groups.

A commando assassinated Guillermo Torres, mayor of the municipality of Churumuco, in the state of Michoacán (west).

On March 23, the candidate for mayor of Acatzingo, in the central state of Puebla, Jaime González, was also shot to death.

In mid-March, Humberto Amezcua, who was seeking reelection as head of the municipality of Pihuamo, in the western state of Jalisco, was killed by armed men.

A few days before, Tomás Morales, a pre-candidate for mayor of Chilapa in the state of Guerrero (southern), was killed.

From June 4, 2023 to March 26, 2024, 50 people have been murdered in "episodes of electoral violence", of which 26 aspired to a popularly elected position, said the consultancy Laboratorio Electoral in its latest report.

Mexico will hold presidential elections on June 2, in which Congress and dozens of local positions will also be renewed.