Tense Election Campaign in Mexico: 30 Killed, 487 Under Protection
The largest election campaign in the country’s history is accompanied by drug cartel-related violence.
Local and political elections will be held in Mexico on June 2, 2024. Nearly 100 million Mexicans will go to the polls to elect the next president, who is expected to be Claudia Sheinbaum, an engineer, physicist, former Mexico City governor from 2018 to 2023, leading in the polls with a 25-point margin.
In addition to the president, the largest elections in the country’s history will determine 20,000 seats: 628 in Congress, nine governors, over 1000 local administrators, and about 18,000 advisors in various municipalities.
But the climate is tense because of drug cartels that have a tangible impact, especially in the poorest regions. Mexico averages about 30,000 murders per year, which is more than 20 per 100,000 inhabitants, and violence has not spared the extensive electoral campaign affecting the country.
According to data published by the Mexican College Seminar on Violence and Peace and reported to Italian ANSA news agency, between September 2023 and May 2024, around 30 candidates for various positions were killed, 532 candidates have sought help, fearing for their safety, and 487 are currently under protection.
