Albino Gómez, a mayoral candidate running for the governing Morena party in Cochoapa el Grande, Guerrero state, has been found alive after being kidnapped at gunpoint. The incident occurred shortly after Gómez attended his campaign’s closing rally. His abduction highlights the severe security challenges facing political candidates in Mexico, particularly in the southern state of Guerrero, known as the most dangerous state for political figures.
Attack Details
The kidnapping took place when gunmen stormed Gómez’s home, opening fire. The attack resulted in the death of Gómez’s campaign manager and injuries to two other individuals. The violence surrounding this incident is part of a broader trend of election-related violence affecting the country, where local elections are often marred by the actions of criminal groups.
Criminal Influence in Local Politics
The targeting of Gómez is a stark reminder of the influence that criminal organizations hold over local elections in Mexico. These groups often seek to ensure the election of candidates who are favorable to their interests or intimidate opposing candidates into submission. By corrupting or threatening local officials, criminal groups can secure lucrative deals and greater freedom to operate within these locales.
National Impact
This year’s election cycle, which includes the election of a new president, members of the legislature, nine governors, and nearly 20,000 local officials, has been marked as the most violent in recent history. The pervasive threat and execution of violence have profoundly affected candidates running for local offices, with dozens killed and hundreds more threatened.
Call for Action
The mayor of Chilpancingo, a nearby town, was among the first to publicize Gómez’s kidnapping, using social media to call for immediate action to protect him and his team. This plea underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and more robust protection protocols for candidates at all levels of government in Mexico.
Also learn about Catastrophic Landslide in Papua New Guinea Claims Over 670 Lives.
