Mexico’s president expressed sadness over the killing of mayoral candidate Bertha Gaytán and city council candidate Adrián Guerrero just hours after Gaytán requested protection and started campaigning in Celaya, Guanajuato. President López Obrador did not announce any increase in security for politicians, despite the increasing violence in the runup to Mexico’s June 2 elections. At least 15 candidates have been killed since the start of the year, with drug cartels often targeting mayors and mayoral candidates to control local police or extort money from municipal governments.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the killings, but Mexico’s drug cartels have a history of targeting politicians. The government has provided bodyguards or bulletproof cars for some politicians, but candidates for municipal positions remain vulnerable. Gaytán was gunned down on the street while campaigning, shouting “Morena!” before collapsing to the pavement. Guerrero, who was walking with her, was also wounded in the attack and later died. The leadership of López Obrador’s Morena party condemned the killings as “cowardly” and called for an investigation.
Guanajuato, where the killings took place, has the highest number of homicides in Mexico. Celaya is considered one of the most dangerous places per capita for police officers in North America, with 34 officers killed in the city over the last three years. The state has been plagued by violent turf battles between cartels, with more police officers shot to death in Guanajuato in 2023 than in all of the United States. The government has received protection requests from over 100 candidates nationwide, promising to respond within 72 hours.
Violence against politicians is widespread in Mexico, with several recent incidents highlighting the dangers faced by those running for office. In neighboring Michoacan, the mayor of Churumuco was shot to death at a taco restaurant, while two mayoral hopefuls in another town in the state were killed within hours of each other. The killings of Gaytán and Guerrero have reignited concerns about the safety of political candidates in Mexico and the need for increased security measures. The government has vowed to respond to protection requests promptly, but the ongoing violence in the country continues to pose a threat to those seeking public office.
