In Mexico, over 270 political candidates have sought government protection ahead of the upcoming general election in June, highlighting a concerning trend of political violence that threatens the country’s democratic process.

Despite efforts to safeguard candidates, at least 15 federal-level candidates have been assassinated and 28 others have been attacked during the campaign season.

This violence reflects broader issues, with independent think tanks reporting over 800 political attacks in the past five years.

Critics argue that federal policies have failed to address the root causes driving youth into organized crime, making it a central issue in the presidential race.

Each attack on a candidate erodes trust in the electoral process, with voters increasingly disillusioned and believing that their votes won’t curb violence, Semafor has reported.

The surge in political violence mirrors a broader trend of escalating violence and homicides in Mexico under recent administrations.

While the National Electoral Institute has issued a security protocol to protect candidates, it falls short in addressing the needs of local government officials who make up the majority of victims.

There is a call for parallel efforts to strengthen local institutions and address socio-economic factors contributing to crime.

Critics argue that prioritizing federal law enforcement over local reforms has left communities vulnerable to criminal influence.

Written by B.C. Begley