As Mexico prepares for its presidential election, violence against candidates and election officials has escalated, with over 225 killed in 2024. A candidate for mayor in Guerrero state was murdered while campaigning, highlighting the influence of cartels in the region. The increase in political violence has been substantial under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration, with 2024 being the most violent year yet. Survivors of assassination attempts, like mayoral candidate Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, blame the lack of security provided by officials and the impunity that characterizes the current government.
President López Obrador has downplayed the reports of increased violence, calling them sensationalism and pointing to a decrease in homicides in 2023 compared to the previous year. However, a report from a Mexican consulting firm highlighted that political violence has resulted in 701 victims, including 225 murders of candidates or politicians seeking office. Despite complaints from victims like Rojo de la Vega about the lack of updates on investigations and the government’s tendency to blame and ignore victims, there has been little action to address the issue of political violence.
Criminal interference in elections has been prevalent in Mexico, with organized crime influencing the electoral process through various means such as violence, threats, campaign financing, and altering voting processes. States like Guerrero, Michoacán, and Colima are at high risk of interference by criminal groups, as they seek to build authority and access valuable resources by subjugating municipal governments. President López Obrador stated that 500 candidates have received federal protection against violence, but this has not been enough to prevent violent incidents like the one experienced by mayoral candidate Leticia Salazar in Matamoros.
Salazar, who survived a confrontation between criminals and state police while campaigning, emphasized the need for order and security in Matamoros, where daily confrontations, shootings, and risky situations are common. Extortion is a prevalent crime in the city, affecting many families, merchants, and businessmen. Despite the risks she faces, Salazar remains determined to bring order to the city and stand up to criminal elements. The upcoming election, with Claudia Sheinbaum leading in official polls but facing potential surprises from other candidates like Xóchitl Gálvez, is an important opportunity for Mexicans to address the ongoing issue of political violence and insecurity in their country.
