(30 May 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
++PART MUTE++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Coyuca de Benitez, Mexico – 29 May 2024
1. Long shot of bodies of killed mayoral candidate Alfredo Cabrera Barrientos and the alleged perpetrator lying on the floor
2. Various of soldiers and crime scene investigators at the site of the killings
3. Aerial shot of site of killing ++MUTE++
4. Aerial shot of bodies lying on the floor ++MUTE++
5. Various of soldiers and crime scene investigators at the site of the killing
6. Aerial shot of crime scene, bodies lying on the floor ++MUTE++
STORYLINE:
Mexico’s last day of campaigning Wednesday before Sunday’s nationwide election was darkened by attacks on candidates and the country’s persistently high homicide rate.
Late Wednesday, a mayoral candidate in the violent southern state of Guerrero was shot to death in the town of Coyuca de Benitez.
Gov. Evelyn Salgado identified the dead candidate as Alfredo Cabrera, but gave no further details on his killing.
Local media reported he was shot in the head at his closing campaign event. The alleged perpetrator was also reportedly killed, but the circumstances were unclear.
A video of the attack on Cabrera was posted on social media, showing the moment in which someone approaches him from behind and shoots him several times.
Mexicans will vote Sunday in an election weighing gender, democracy and populism, as they chart the country’s path forward in voting shadowed by cartel violence.
While President López Obrador has increased the country’s minimum wage and increased government benefit programs, he has been unable to significantly reduce the historically high homicide rate, which currently runs at more than 30,000 killings per year nationwide.
That gang-fueled violence has also cast a shadow over the campaigns.
About 27 candidates, mostly running for mayor or town councils, have been killed so far this year.
While that is not much higher than in some past elections, what is unprecedented is the mass shootings: candidates used to be killed in targeted attacks, but now criminals have taken to spraying whole campaign events with gunfire.
===========================================================
Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/6de1ea4c837748b7a1102d1ae09c3b82
