The recent assassination of Gisela Gaytán, a mayoral candidate in Mexico, has shed light on the dangerous and deadly trend of violence targeting politicians in the country. With 36 people killed while seeking public office since last summer, this election cycle has become one of the most blood-soaked in recent memory.
The brutal killing of Ms. Gaytán, a 37-year-old lawyer, highlights the threat that organized crime poses to Mexico’s democracy. As cartels expand their reach into various illegal activities, including extortion and migrant trafficking, they are increasingly targeting candidates and their family members, instilling fear and terror in the electoral process.
The violence has forced many candidates to drop out of races, while some political parties have withdrawn from certain towns altogether. The attacks have intensified in states where criminal groups are fiercely competing for power, leading to mass shootings and targeted killings of candidates and their relatives.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s approach to crime, which focuses on addressing poverty rather than aggressively confronting cartels, has been criticized for emboldening criminal groups and allowing them to expand their influence. The rise in cartel violence has now permeated states previously untouched by such attacks, posing a significant threat to Mexico’s democracy.
Despite the government’s efforts to provide protection to candidates, the killings continue, leaving many to question the state of democracy in Mexico. The assassination of Ms. Gaytán has sent shockwaves through the country, prompting concerns about the safety of those running for office and the integrity of the electoral process.
As the election approaches, the violence and intimidation tactics employed by criminal groups have cast a dark shadow over the democratic process in Mexico. The tragic death of Gisela Gaytán serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that candidates face in their pursuit of public office, and the urgent need to address the root causes of cartel violence in the country.
