The criminal violence that plagues Mexico claimed a new victim next weekend. David Castillejos Cruz, councilor of Education of the Santiago Niltepec, Oaxaca City Council, was shot dead last Saturday, May 10. The incident occurred while the councilor was participating in a gift-giving event for Mother's Day.
The official was in the community of Santo Domingo de Guzmán accompanied by his young daughter when armed individuals attacked him directly.
According to preliminary reports, he received at least five gunshot wounds. Although he was assisted by family members and rushed, he died on the way to the hospital.
So far, there are no arrests for this crime. The State Attorney General's Office (FGE) is investigating the incident, but as in so many other cases of political violence, institutional silence and impunity prevail.
A six-year term stained with blood
The death of councilor Castillejos Cruz is not an isolated incident. It adds to the escalation of violence that has marked the Morena governments, where organized crime took advantage of the failed "hugs not bullets" strategy to strengthen its territorial control.
At the beginning of the current six-year term, Mexico has witnessed a wave of murders against candidates, officials, and public representatives. In the same weekend, mayoral candidate Yesenia Lara in Veracruz was also murdered.
