Chilapa, Guerrero – The wave of violence targeting political candidates in Mexico continues as another mayoral hopeful, Tomás Morales, was gunned down outside his home in Chilapa, Guerrero. Morales, a candidate for the mayoral position in the violence-racked city, was considered a top contender in the upcoming June 2 national elections. The ruling Morena party had not officially nominated Morales, but his candidacy was widely recognized.
Authorities in Guerrero revealed that Morales fell victim to a fatal shooting by a gunman late Tuesday night. Chilapa, known for its long-standing turf battles between drug cartels, has been a hotspot for violence for over a decade. Unfortunately, Morales is one of several local politicians who have been murdered in Mexico this year leading up to the elections.
The violence targeting political figures is not confined to Guerrero. Just this month, Alfredo González, a mayoral candidate in Atoyac, Guerrero, was also fatally shot. In a neighboring state, Michoacán, two mayoral candidates in Maravatío met the same fate within hours of each other in late February. The incidents point to a disturbing trend of violence against political candidates across different regions in Mexico.
The motives behind these killings remain unclear, but speculations point to attempts by drug cartels to exert control over local governments. Mayors and mayoral candidates are often targeted for assassination by cartels seeking to influence law enforcement policies and extort money from municipal authorities. Mexico’s ongoing struggle with drug-related violence has led to over 420,000 murders and tens of thousands of missing persons since 2006.
Guerrero, one of the most violent and impoverished states in Mexico, has been a focal point of criminal activities such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion. Recent clashes between rival criminal groups have escalated tensions in the region, with incidents like a gruesome cartel video surfacing last month and a deadly cartel attack in January that claimed multiple lives. The U.S. State Department has advised against travel to Guerrero and other high-risk states due to rampant crime and violence.
The spate of political killings underscores the challenges faced by candidates running for public office in a country plagued by drug-related violence. The persistent threats posed by drug cartels have cast a shadow over the electoral process, raising concerns about the safety and security of political figures across Mexico. As the country grapples with escalating violence and criminal activities, efforts to ensure the safety of political candidates and maintain law and order remain paramount.