On the Foreign Scene
Tragedy struck in Mexico as Yolanda Sánchez, the female mayor of Cotija, was killed by gunmen just hours after Claudia Sheinbaum was elected as the country’s first woman president.
Yolanda Sánchez was ambushed in the center of Cotija, Michoacán, on Monday. Reports indicate she was shot 19 times and died in the hospital shortly after the attack. Her bodyguard was also killed in the gunfire. The attack took place against a backdrop of widespread violence against politicians, which has overshadowed Mexico’s general election.
Sánchez had reported receiving death threats and was kidnapped last year, allegedly by members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), known for its involvement in drug trafficking and targeting public officials. Despite these threats, Sánchez had refused to hand over the town’s security to state police allegedly controlled by organized crime, instead requesting military reinforcement and armed bodyguards.
This tragic incident occurred less than a day after Claudia Sheinbaum’s historic election victory. Sheinbaum’s rival, Xóchitl Gálvez, expressed concerns about the violence that marred the campaign, highlighting the severe challenges the new president will face, including tackling the pervasive influence of violent cartels.
More than 20 candidates have been killed since September, with some reports suggesting the number could be as high as 40. With over 95% of the votes counted, Sheinbaum won by a significant margin and will be sworn in on October 1.
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