Seven people murdered in electoral violence in Mexico

Violence has increased during the current electoral process compared to previous elections, such as in 2009 and 2012, when six and five murders were registered, respectively.

According to an investigation made by EL UNIVERSAL, from February 19 to May 14 at least 41 people were victims of electoral violence, seven of which were murdered. At least 34 people have either been kidnapped, injured or received death threats, or their houses or vehicles have been attacked.

These crimes have taken place in 12 states, including Guerrero, Michoacán, Tabasco, Oaxaca and San Luis Potosi, while in other states such as Morelos death threats led seven candidates of the National Action Party (PAN) to abandon the race.

The first murder happened on February 18, 2015, when Carlos Martínez Villavicencio, pre-candidate of the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) for federal congressman in Oaxaca, was killed while on a tour at a Triqui region.

Two days later Cecilia Izaguirre, local leader of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), was murdered in Lagunillas, San Luis Potosí.

On April 6 Alfonso Ordaz, electoral operator of the PAN in San Luis Potosí who promoted voting for Edgar Ortega Luján, PAN candidate for mayor of Matlapa, was reported missing. Four days later he was found beheaded at Moctezuma River.

The fourth victim was Aidé Nava González, PRD pre-candidate for mayor of Ahuacuotzingo, Guerrero. She was beheaded on April 11.

Also Ulises Fabián Quiroz, candidate of the PRI-Green Party (PVEM) alliance, was murdered in Chilapa, Guerrero. He was shot at 13 times.

This week two candidates more were killed. Enrique Hernández Salcedo, candidate for the Movement for National Regeneration (Morena) for mayor of Yurécuaro, Michoacán, was murdered while participating in a rally. Three more people were wounded in the attack, including two members of that party and a supporter.

In Huimanguillo, Tabasco Héctor López Cruz, PRI candidate for alderman, was executed outside his home. His brother Eloy was also injured in the attack.

So far no one has been arrested in connection with the murders.