Mexican mayor candidate shot during live broadcast

Mexican mayor candidate shot during live broadcast

What started as a festive campaign train turned into a scene of horror in the Mexican state of Veracruz on Sunday evening when a candidate for mayor was shot together with three other people.

The incident and its effects

A live stream on Facebook held the horror of the day. He showed Yesenia Lara Gutiérrez, who welcomed the residents while she was walking through the streets of Texistepec, surrounded by a caravan of supporters. The crowd smiled and chanted until suddenly shots outside the picture were heard that drowned out her cheers. In the video there were about 20 shots that were available on Lara's Facebook page the following day.

reactions of the government representatives

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the attack during her press conference on Monday morning and explained that she still had no information about the motif. She added that her government in coordination with the officials of Veracruz works and, if necessary, offers support at the federal level, including contact with the public prosecutor.

"We coordinate in particular with the head of the security authorities and offer all the necessary support during this election period in Veracruz and Durango," she said, referring to the upcoming elections on June 1st in the two states.

victim and investigation

According to the public prosecutor, four people, including the mayor candidate, who was a member of Sheinbaum's governing Morena party, were among the fatalities. Another three people were injured. The authorities continue to determine and promise to ensure justice.

"No office or post is worth a person's life," said the governor of Veracruz, Rocío near, on X. "We will find those responsible for this cowardly crime on the Morena candidate and her supporters in Texistepec."

Violence against political candidates in Mexico

attacks on political candidates are common during the election cycles in Mexico. Last year the country recorded a record-high number of victims of politically motivated violence, one Human rights organization, 661 attacks on people and institutions reported. Many of the victims held a local office or ran for it.

In May 2024, a candidate for mayor shot in the southern state of Guerrero, an incident that was recorded on video.

days later the mayor of Michoacán Fitness studio went home. In October the mayor of the capital Guerrero, Chilpancingo, Starting office killed .