Quick Hit:

A campaign march in Veracruz turned deadly when mayoral candidate Yesenia Lara Gutiérrez and three others were gunned down during a live broadcast. Authorities have promised a full investigation amid rising election violence across Mexico.

Key Details:

• Yesenia Lara Gutiérrez was killed during a Facebook Live-streamed campaign rally in Texistepec, Veracruz.
• President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the attack, offering federal support to Veracruz authorities.
• Political violence is surging in Mexico, with a record 661 attacks on politicians and facilities reported last year.

Diving Deeper:

What began as a festive campaign event turned into a nightmare Sunday night in the Mexican state of Veracruz when mayoral candidate Yesenia Lara Gutiérrez was shot dead during a Facebook Live broadcast.

The video showed Lara, a candidate for the ruling Morena party, smiling and greeting supporters as she paraded through the streets of Texistepec. Chants of support filled the air until gunfire erupted off-camera, sending the crowd scrambling. At least 20 shots could be heard during the broadcast, which remained visible on Lara’s Facebook page the next day.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the attack at her Monday morning press conference but said no motive had yet been determined. She assured the public that her administration was coordinating closely with Veracruz officials and pledged federal support if needed, particularly given the upcoming June 1 elections.

“We’re coordinating, particularly with the Secretary of Security, and with all the support needed during this electoral period from Veracruz and Durango,” Sheinbaum stated.

The shooting left four dead, including Lara, and wounded three others, according to the Veracruz state attorney general’s office. Veracruz Governor Rocío Nahle condemned the attack, calling it a "cowardly murder," and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice. “No position or office is worth a person’s life,” Nahle wrote on X.

Violence against political figures has become tragically common in Mexico. Human rights group Data Cívica reported 661 attacks against politicians and political facilities last year alone, a record number. Candidates for local offices are often the targets, as criminal organizations attempt to control regional power structures.