Mayoral Candidate Killed in an Ambush on Mexico’s Highway; Cartel Linked to the Crime
A mayoral candidate in the port city of Veracruz was among the six people killed on Sunday during an armed attack. EDUARDO MURILLO/AFP via Getty Images

A former mayoral candidate in Mexico, along with his wife and their two children, were among the six people shot and killed by several gunmen on Sunday during an ambush attack.

According to Mexico News Daily, the gunmen, traveling in at least three vehicles, opened fire on the Veracruz-Xalapa highway near the Veracruz International Airport and killed five people in a pickup truck and a man in a taxi.

In a social media post, the Veracruz Ministry of Public Security confirmed the deaths of six people and announced that one person was wounded.

It added that state and federal forces were already carrying out an operation to arrest the suspects and to ensure "order and social peace."

According to reports, former mayoral candidate Fernando Perez Vega's pickup truck was riddled with bullets by gunmen, who killed him, his wife, and their two children.

Perez ran as a candidate for mayor in the Veracruz municipality of Coxquihui in 2021 and was allegedly a leader of a criminal organization.

Former Mayoral Candidate in Mexico Is Allegedly a Leader of a Mexican Drug Cartel

Fernando Perez Vega, alias "El Pino," was a candidate for mayor in the Veracruz municipality of Coxquihui in 2021 and was allegedly a Mexican drug cartel leader.

Perez Vega was allegedly involved in extortion, kidnapping, and homicides. He reportedly attended a political event in Boca del Rio before he and his family were killed in the ambush.

His brother, Reveriano Perez Vega, known as "El Pelon," has served as Coxquihui's mayor on two occasions. The brothers had been accused of being the leaders of the Mexican drug cartel Los Pelones, founded as an enforcement wing of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Evidence indicated that the attack could be a "settling of scores between organized crime groups," said Veracruz Governor Cuitláhuac García in a social media post.

It was not immediately clear who the pertained organized group was involved, but it was suggested that the Jalisco cartel may have launched the attack against Perez.

The Jalisco cartel shared a video a few days ago warning about their arrival on the borders of Veracruz and Oaxaca.

On January 18, the video showed several people with their faces covered and carrying long guns, claiming they arrived in the area to "clean the ground."

According to Mexico's Defense Ministry, Los Pelones are in a war for control of Veracruz with the Jalisco cartel and Sinaloa Cartel, among other criminal groups.

Notorious Jalisco Cartel of Mexico

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel is considered one of Mexico's most dangerous and powerful drug cartels. It reportedly had thousands of members and was allegedly involved in mass graves, kidnappings, acid baths, and video recording beheadings.

The Jalisco cartel had risen to power after Mexican security forces killed former Sinaloa Cartel capo Ignacio Coronel, known as "Nacho," in July 2010. Nacho's death resulted in the split of the Sinaloa Cartel into two factions - "La Resistencia" and "Torcidos."

The "Torcidos" became what is now the Jalisco cartel, which has since expanded rapidly in Mexico. The Jalisco cartel is currently being led by Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, who continues to evade capture.

The U.S. government has already offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest. El Mencho remains to be the most elusive criminal and is reportedly hiding in Mexico.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Integrantes De Un Grupo Criminal Anuncian Llegada a Veracruz Y Oaxaca - From MILENIO