Mexico Elections: Final Day of Campaigning Marred by Political Violence

The Mexico Election will finally happen on Sunday as the country is expected to vote for the first woman to be president, whether she be Xochitl Galvez or Claudia Sheinbaum. However, political violence continue every day on the final day of campaigning.

As candidates continue on their final day of campaigning before the actual vote on Sunday, a cloud of violence has been cast over them as the election season has been marred by violent and deadly attacks on candidates and their supporters as drug cartels seek to have their own influence on the vote.

Even though Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) has tried to beef up security in Mexico for the election, several candidates have already been killed. This earned him an attack from opposition candidate Xochitl Galves, who slammed his "hugs not bullets" approach of not confronting the drug cartels.

"Are we going to continue with hugs, or are we going to apply the law to criminals?" the presidential candidate asked her supporters as she held what may be her final political rally before the June 2 election. "Mexico wants peace, wants tranquility."

She then slammed AMLO again for his divisive rhetoric, especially his usual dismissing of criticisms of how he handles the government, saying, "enough division, enough hatred ... we are all Mexicans."

Under AMLO, minimum wage and government benefit programs increased in Mexico. However, he has struggled to significantly reduce the country's historically high homicide rate, especially as the drug cartels are fighting back.

As his tenure ends, election violence is marring his presidency, with a mayoral candidate in the western state of Jalisco being shot multiple times by intruders in his campaign offices. The mayoral candidate survived but is in critical condition. This is only one of the many examples of attacks on people running for local office.

Local Candidates Face Deadly Violence During the Mexico Election Campaign Period

In Mexico, organized crime groups have repeatedly attacked local candidates over the crime period. This is usually used so their own candidate would win or show the eventual winner who is actually in charge. Over 30 candidates have been murdered ahead of Sunday's vote, and observers have pointed out that this has already eroded Mexican democracy.

One candidate, Gisela Gaytan, was shot and killed on the very first day of the campaign period. Her replacement candidate, Juan Miguel Ramirez, now has armed military personnel guarding him.

As The Guardian noted, this is expected to be the largest election in Mexico ever, with over 20,000 seats up for grabs, including the presidency. However, local candidates have been hit hard, as they are not afforded the same protection as those running for national offices.

Mexico to Likely Elect Its First Female President

As for the presidential race, the two leading candidates are women and either Galvez or Sheinbaum are expected to become the next president and replace AMLO. While Sheinbaum has held a comfortable lead in the months leading up to the June 2 vote, Galvez has been gaining on her in the polls.

According to the Associated Press, whether Galvez or Sheinbaum wins, it will be considered a major step in a country long marked by its "macho" culture. Whoever wins will also inherit several big problems, including the ever-present drug violence that plagues Mexico.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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