In the town of Cotija, which she had been in charge of since September 2021, Yolanda Sánchez was shot.
She was the first female nominee for the position.
The general election in Mexico featured two female candidates for president, but the contest was overshadowed by widespread violence against politicians.
On Monday, gunmen ambushed Yolanda Sánchez in the heart of Cotija, Michoacán.
The local media reports that she was shot 19 times and passed away soon after in the hospital. The gunfight also claimed the life of her security.
Although no one has been taken into custody in relation to the incident thus far, it is generally believed that the gunmen were members of an organized criminal cell.
When Ms. Sánchez assumed office in September 2021, she claimed to have received death threats.
Armed men kidnapped her at gunpoint in 2023 while she was visiting the neighboring state of Jalisco, and they held her captive for three days. Before releasing her, the lawmaker claimed that the kidnappers had made “demands” and subjected her to “psychological terror.”.
Although she claimed not to know which criminal organization they were associated with, local media said that the Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG) was the most likely responsible.
The CJNG is involved in kidnapping for ransom and extortion, in addition to drug trafficking.
