As Mexico’s June elections approach, cartel violence is marring the campaign trail with most political seats in play as well as the likelihood voters could choose their first female president.
Lila Abed of the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute tells CBN News these elections are crucial not only for Mexico but also for U.S.-Mexico relations, given the significant issues at stake. Â
“More than 20,000 positions are up for election,” Abed said. “So not only the presidency, but 128 senators, 500 congressional deputies, nine governorships, and a lot of municipal and local elections.”Â
The 2024 election season has become one of the most violent on record in Mexico. A wave of politically motivated attacks has resulted in nearly 200 deaths this year, including at least 30 politicians. Many others still face threats of assault or kidnapping ahead of the June 2nd vote.Â
Abed sees this as a critical and historic moment with the two major coalitions touting female presidential candidates. Xóchitl Gálvez, representing three combined parties, is up against former Mexico City mayor, Claudia Sheinbaum, the ruling party’s pick and friend of current president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, known as AMLO.
“The truth is that AMLO’s security strategy of ‘hugs – not
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