Overview

• Two mayoral candidates, representing Morena and PAN parties, were murdered within hours of each other in Maravatio, Michoacan.
• The attacks occur as Mexico braces for potentially the most violent elections in its history, with campaigns officially starting on Friday.
• Experts warn of unprecedented cartel intervention in the 2024 local elections, as criminal organizations seek to exert control over local governments.
• The surge in political violence, including the recent killings, highlights the expanding influence of drug cartels beyond narcotics, involving extortion and control over local businesses.
• Authorities and political parties have condemned the violence, calling for justice and highlighting the threat to democracy and local governance.