Mexican mayoral candidate, 3 others shot dead during live broadcast of campaign rally
In a deadly incident captured live on camera, a mayoral candidate and three other people were gunned down in the Mexican state of Veracruz on Sunday night during a campaign event, the state governor said.
The local media identified the slain politician as Yesenia Lara Gutiérrez, who was part of Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum's Morena party, and was the mayoral candidate of Texistepec.
In a video posted online during a Facebook Live broadcast by Yesenia Lara, people were seen running and screaming after gunshots were heard at a procession of motorcycles and supporters carrying Morena flags.
The Facebook Live footage, where at least 20 gunshots were heard being fired behind the camera, was still available on Lara's Facebook page the following day.
Earlier, the crowd was seen smiling and cheering for Lara as the mayoral candidate greeted the residents while she paraded through the streets of Texistepec, surrounded by supporters.
Ningún cargo o puesto vale la vida de una persona. Vamos a dar con los responsables de este cobarde asesinato a la candidata y simpatizantes de morena en Texistepec; 4 personas fallecidas y 3 heridos. He instruido a la @FGE_Veracruz y a seguridad no parar hasta encontrarlos.
— Rocío Nahle (@rocionahle) May 12, 2025
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the attack on Monday and said that she wasn't still aware about the motive. Referring to the June 1 elections, the president said 'We're coordinating, particularly with the Secretary of Security, and with all the support needed during this electoral period from Veracruz and Durango.'
The state's attorney general office said that Lara was killed in the shootout along with three other people. Another three people were wounded in the incident. Authorities said that an investigation was ongoing in the matter and promised justice would be served.
Veracruz Governor Rocío Nahle in a post on X said, 'No position or office is worth a person's life. We will find those responsible for this cowardly murder of the Morena candidate and supporters in Texistepec.'
Attacks on politicians have been more often than not a common sight in Mexico due to violence linked to cartels, corruption and the multibillion-dollar narcotics trade.
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