Alfredo Cabrera, an aspiring mayor in southern Mexico, was tragically shot dead during a campaign rally in the town of Coyuca de Benitez on Wednesday, as confirmed by Guerrero state governor Evelyn Salgado. This incident marks the latest in a series of violent attacks leading up to the weekend elections.
A video published by local media captured the horrifying moment when an individual approached Cabrera and fired several shots, causing chaos and panic among the rally attendees.
Governor Salgado condemned the "cowardly" murder of Cabrera, who was a candidate for an opposition coalition, and vowed to seek justice. "I have asked the state prosecutor's office to bring the full weight of the law against the person or persons responsible," she wrote on the social media platform X.
The Guerrero state prosecutor's office later reported that the alleged attacker had been killed at the scene. This attack is part of a disturbing trend of violence against political candidates in Mexico. Since last September, at least 22 people running for local office have been murdered, according to government data. Non-governmental organizations, such as Data Civica, report even higher numbers, with around 30 murders of local politicians.
The violence is not isolated to Guerrero. On Tuesday, a mayoral candidate in Morelos was murdered, and another was wounded by gunfire in Jalisco state.
The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), one of the opposition coalition parties, criticized the government for failing to ensure the safety of the candidates. In response to the escalating violence, the Mexican government announced that approximately 27,000 soldiers and National Guard members will be deployed to reinforce security on Sunday. Mexicans will vote for a new president, members of Congress, several state governors, and numerous local officials.
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