Violence continues to escalate ahead of Mexico’s upcoming elections. In the most recent incident, a mayoral candidate was brutally assassinated at a campaign rally.
Alfredo Cabrera, who was running for mayor in the town of Coyuca de Benítez, fell victim to a gunman who opened fire at close range. Video footage captured the harrowing moment when Alfredo Cabrera was shaking hands with supporters before his closing rally. Suddenly, shots rang out, sending waves of panic through the crowd.
Approximately 15 shots were fired, instantly ending Cabrera’s life. Prompt action from members of Mexico’s National Guard resulted in the gunman being killed at the scene, but the motive behind this horrific act remains unclear.
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Previous Attacks and Rising Death Toll:
Alfredo Cabrera had previously been targeted in a separate attack in 2023, leading to heightened security measures and police protection. Unfortunately, these measures were not enough to prevent his tragic demise.
Cabrera’s assassination seems to be part of a disturbing trend leading up to the presidential, congressional, and local elections on June 2. Just days before this incident, another mayoral candidate was murdered in the central state of Morelos, while a candidate in western Jalisco state was shot and wounded. According to government reports, at least 22 individuals running for local office have been murdered since last September.
The Role of Drug Cartels:
Political assassinations, often orchestrated by drug cartels, have become alarmingly common in Mexico. These criminal organizations seek to exert control over local police forces and extort money from municipal governments. Candidates who challenge their influence or refuse to cooperate with their illicit activities become targets.
So far, authorities have launched an investigation into the assassination of Alfredo Cabrera to determine the motive behind the attack.