Background on Yesenia Lara and Her Relevance
Yesenia Lara, a candidate for the municipal presidency representing Morena-PVEM in Texistepec, Veracruz, was tragically killed in a targeted attack. Her death has brought attention to the escalating political violence in the region and the need for enhanced security measures.
Immediate Response to the Attack
In response to this heinous crime, Rocío Nahle, a prominent figure in the Mexican government, announced that both the Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC) and the Guardia Nacional (GN) will bolster public safety in Veracruz. The SSPC is a federal security agency, while the GN is a uniformed police force under the control of the Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana.
The local fiscalía and the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) are leading the investigations into Lara’s murder, though no arrests had been made as of the last update.
Casualties and Injuries
The attack resulted in five fatalities, including Yesenia Lara herself. Additionally, there were three injured individuals, among them Mario Navarro, the brother of Marisol, who lost both his father, Miguel Ángel Navarro, and Lara during the campaign event broadcast live on Facebook.
Silvestre González, a brigadista of Lara’s campaign, and Aarón Nolasco, her personal security guard, also perished in the attack.
Nahle’s Statements and Concerns
Nahle acknowledged that Lara’s assassination was a clear case of political violence and expressed suspicions about candidates with questionable backgrounds. She emphasized the need to review all candidacies to identify any individuals with dubious histories.
When questioned about the political affiliations of the suspected candidates, Nahle remained cautious, stating that she did not want to implicate herself in electoral matters or favor one party over another.
Security Measures for Candidates
As of the latest update, 57 candidates for municipal offices out of a total of 212 contenders have requested protection from the Organismo Público Local Electoral (OPLE) in Veracruz. The state police force is currently providing security to all candidates who have made such requests.
Among those who sought protection, the majority—24 candidates—belong to Movimiento Ciudadano, while three each represent PAN, PT, and PRI. Eight candidates are part of the PVEM-Morena coalition, six are from Morena, one belongs to PVEM, and another is an independent or without a political party.
Ensuring the Election’s Integrity
Despite the tragic deaths of three politicians during the upcoming municipal president elections on June 1, Nahle affirmed that the electoral process remains secure and will proceed as planned.
A federal police unit will join the 300 GN personnel already stationed in Veracruz to ensure safety in municipalities identified as “hotspots” leading up to the election.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Yesenia Lara? Yesenia Lara was a candidate for the municipal presidency in Texistepec, Veracruz, representing Morena-PVEM.
- What happened in the attack? Yesenia Lara was killed along with four others, including her supporters and family members, during a campaign event.
- Who is investigating the case? The local fiscalía and the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) are leading the investigations into Lara’s murder.
- What security measures are being taken? The SSPC and GN will reinforce public safety in Veracruz, with a federal police unit joining the 300 GN personnel already present.
- How many candidates have requested protection? As of the latest update, 57 out of 212 candidates have sought protection from the OPLE in Veracruz.
- How many politicians have been killed in the context of these elections? Three politicians have been killed in connection with the upcoming municipal president elections.
