A mayoral candidate in the Mexican city of Texistepec, Yesenia Lara Gutierrez, was killed Sunday night during a campaign rally. The attack, which took place in full view of the public, also killed three other people and injured several others.
The tragic moment was captured on a Facebook live stream, where Gutierrez was seen greeting supporters before about 20 gunshots were heard. The video, which showed the first moments of chaos and panic, was still available on her Facebook page the next day.
VIDEO:
Fue por la espalda el cobarde attack que bró la life de Yesenia Lara Gutiérrez, candidata de Morena a la alcaldía #Texistepec, #Veracruz. Video del aberrante momento circula en redes sociales. pic.twitter.com/B9tdzGcDav
— Political Coup (@Golpe_politico) May 12, 2025
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the attack at a news conference on Monday, saying the motives were still unclear. She said the federal government was coordinating with authorities in Veracruz state and had offered immediate support for the investigation.
"We are cooperating with local authorities, especially with the Secretary of Security, and we are ready to provide all support during this election period," Sheinbaum declared, also mentioning the upcoming June 1 elections in Veracruz and Durango.
Yesenia Lara Gutierrez was a member of the ruling Morena party and one of the four victims in the bloody attack. Three other people were injured and are receiving medical attention, while investigations are ongoing.
Violence against political candidates in Mexico has become a recurring phenomenon, especially during election periods. Last year alone, the country recorded a record number of politically motivated acts of violence. According to the human rights organization Data Cívica, 2023 attacks on individuals and political structures were reported in 661, most of which were related to local candidacies.
Recent months have seen several other shocking murders, including a mayoral candidate in the state of Guerrero in May 2024, as well as the mayor of Cotija in Michoacan. In October of last year, the mayor of Chilpancingo was murdered less than a week after taking office.
Mexican authorities have promised justice and additional security measures to protect candidates during the election period, but to no avail.
