Violence Against Political Candidates Threatens Mexican Democracy
Forensic technician investigates the area where Bertha Gisela Gaytan was assassinated. Source: Juan Moreno/Reuters
In the lead-up to Mexico's largest election, a wave of violence against political candidates has cast a shadow over the country's democratic process. The targeting of candidates by organized crime groups seeking to influence the outcome of elections has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the safety of those participating in it.
On February 26, Michoacan witnessed the assassination of two mayoral candidates: Miguel Angel Zavala Reyes and Armando Perez Luna, representing the Morena and National Action Party (PAN), respectively. In March, Tomás Morales, a mayoral candidate, met a similar fate in Guerrero, as he was vying for the mayoral position and fell victim to fatal gun violence.
Recent incidents, such as the assassination attempt on mayoral candidate Jesús Corona Damián and the tragic killing of Bertha Gisela Gaytán, further highlight the risks faced by individuals seeking to participate in Mexico's political scene. Damian had been receiving threats from a local gang the night before his car was fired upon; Gaytan was being cheered on by supporters shouting “Morena,” the name of her party, before the crowd heard the gunshots that killed her. Due to this incident, multiple people, including the city council candidate Adrián Guerrero, died at a nearby hospital.
Morena is also the current party of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. In a statement, Lopez Obrador said the killing of his own party's candidates "hurts a lot.” Lopez Obrador has delivered a resounding message to local authorities, emphasizing the need to prioritize candidate safety in light of the alarming surge in violence leading up to the general elections. With a staggering 22 murders of candidates for public office already reported, the 2024 general election in Mexico might go down in history for the unprecedented levels of brutality.
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador with current presidential candidate for the MORENA party Claudia Sheinbaum. Source: AP/Fernando Llano
However, López Obrador has also sought to downplay the significance of the violence in the context of overall crime reduction efforts in Mexico. He has pointed to statistics showing a decline in homicide rates nationwide and has refrained from characterizing the attacks on candidates as a systemic threat to Mexican democracy. Instead, he has suggested that candidates from all political parties face risks during election cycles and has urged continued participation in the democratic process despite the challenges.
Despite the downplay of the situation, the impact of this violence extends far beyond the immediate victims, as it continues to undermine the principles of democracy, and in turn, lead to public distrust in Mexico’s institutions. Beyond immediate security measures, addressing the root causes of violence and insecurity is just as important. Poverty, inequality, and corruption create the ground for these criminal organizations to thrive, and addressing these underlying issues requires sustained efforts to promote economic development, strengthen institutions, and combat corruption at all levels of government. Mexico has long been plagued with threats to its relationships with other nations if they do not address the ongoing violence, and this election could further fuel the fire.