Mexico mayoral candidate shot dead on campaign trail

By AFP
May 13, 2025
A forensic technician works at a scene where Celayas mayor candidate for the ruling party Morena, Bertha Gisela Gaytan, was killed by unknown assailants during a campaign rally, in San Miguel Octopan, Guanajuato state, Mexico, April 1, 2024.—Reuters
A forensic technician works at a scene where Celaya's mayor candidate for the ruling party Morena, Bertha Gisela Gaytan, was killed by unknown assailants during a campaign rally, in San Miguel Octopan, Guanajuato state, Mexico, April 1, 2024.—Reuters

COATZACOALCOS, Mexico: A mayoral candidate was shot dead on Sunday at a campaign event in the eastern Mexican state of Veracruz, the state governor said.

Yesenia Lara, the candidate of President Claudia Sheinbaum´s Morena party for mayor of Texistepec, was identified by local media as the slain politician. Footage posted online shows people running and screaming as gunshots ring out at a procession of motorcycles and supporters carrying Morena flags.