CNN
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What began as a celebration campaign became a horrifying scene in Mexico’s Veracruz state on Sunday night, when a mayoral candidate was shot along with three other people.
A Facebook live stream captured the horrors of the day. She paraded through the city of Texistepec, surrounded by a caravan of supporters, showing that Yesenia Lara Gutiérrez greeted the residents.
The crowd was seen chanting with a smile, and gunfire suddenly erupted from the camera, cheering. The video let out around 20 gunshots, but the next day it was still available on Lala’s Facebook page.
Mexican President Claudia Sinbaum confirmed the attack at a press conference Monday morning, saying there is no information yet on the motive. She added that her government was working with Veracruz officials and provided federal assistance, including contacting the state attorney general’s office when necessary.
“We are coordinating all the support we need during this election, especially with the Secretary of Security, from Veracruz and Durango,” she said, referring to the June 1 elections in two states.
According to the state attorney’s office, the mayoral candidate, a member of Sheinbaum’s dominant Morena Party, was among the four people killed in the shooting. Three more people were injured.
Authorities are still investigating the issue and are promising justice.
“There’s no value in a person’s life,” Veracruz Governor Rosio Naar said in X.
CNN has contacted Morena, the prosecutor’s office and Texistepec City Council, for more details.
Attacks against political candidates during the Mexican election cycle are common.
Last year, the country recorded record number of victims of political crimes as human rights group Datasivika reported 661 attacks on people and facilities. Many of the victims either held or were running at the local government level position.
In May 2024, a mayoral candidate was killed at a campaign stop in southern Guerrero.
A few days later, Mayor Kotilla of Michoacan was shot dead while walking home from the gym with his bodyguard.
In October, Mayor of Guerrero’s capital, Chilpanche, was killed less than a week after taking office.
