Violence Escalates in Mexican Elections with 17 Politicians Killed

The recent spate of killings includes Noé Ramos Ferretiz, a candidate for mayor in Tamaulipas, highlighting the dangers faced by politicians in the run-up to the June 2 national elections.

Seventeen political candidates have been killed in Mexico since January 2024, amid concerns over drug cartel influence on local elections.
Noé Ramos Ferretiz, running for reelection in Ciudad Mante, Tamaulipas, was fatally stabbed, marking a significant escalation in pre-election violence.
Other victims include Alberto García from Oaxaca and Bertha Gaytán from Guanajuato, underscoring the widespread nature of the threat.
President López Obrador acknowledged the influence of drug cartels in local politics, admitting that cartels often decide who gets to run for office.
The Mexican government has responded by providing bodyguards for some 250 candidates, though mayoral candidates remain highly vulnerable.