Yesterday, Claudia Sheinbaum became the first woman elected president of Mexico. The 61-year-old former mayor of Mexico City and climate scientist will replace her mentor, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, on Oct. 1.
Sheinbaum’s victory was marred by the violence surrounding Mexico’s most recent elections. Less than 24 hours after her election, Yolanda Sánchez, the mayor of the town of Cotija, was shot and killed in an ambush by gunmen. The culprits have yet to be identified but most likely belong to the Jalisco New Generation cartel, which is infamous for targeting public officials that work against their interests.
Sanchez’s death is not unusual for political officials and candidates in Mexico. In fact, it seems to be becoming the norm.
Violence Runs Rampant
On Sunday, Mexican voters elected over 20,000 officials in their country’s largest election in history. This election cycle saw a 150 percent increase in political violence since 2021. In the past two weeks alone, at least nine people died during attempts to kill an additional two candidates.
Sources vary on how many political candidates have died this election cycle. Some estimates place the number as high as 37 dead while more conservative estimates put the number at around 20. Abductions of political candidates have also been on the rise. Some candidates have even abandoned their races because of fear they will be killed or abducted next.
The enormous numbers of dead and abducted political candidates result from the rampant organized crime in Mexico. Criminal organizations that are seeking to control local resources have most targeted local candidates, who make up 85 percent of the victims.
Presidential Responses
President Obrador of the left-wing Morena party has thus far dismissed the violence, saying that crime is on the decline and will continue to decrease. Obrador has provided security for candidates running for the presidency, governor, and Congress, but has asked that local and state governments provide protection for those running for local posts.
His blasé response has provoked outrage, particularly due to the fact that local police are often in the pocket of the gangs that commit the violence.
President-elect Sheinbaum, also of the Morena party, has vowed to continue Obrador’s policies concerning the violence, as she says that she supports his “hugs, not bullets” policy. Her opponent, the defeated Xóchitl Gálvez of the conservative National Action Party, has expressed disdain at this policy and was critical of the pervasive violence. After her defeat, Gálvez called Sheinbaum and said, “I saw a Mexico with a lot of pain and violence. I wished that she could solve the severe problems our people have.”
During her presidency, Sheinbaum will have to face the extensive issue of organized crime and gang violence. The issue must be tackled, and soon, if for no other reason than to ensure democratic elections can continue.
Katelyn Livorse is a junior studying political science and French at Grove City College and an intern at The American Spectator. Follow her on X at @KatelynLivorse.
