Record violence against candidates and officials does not deter Mexicans from voting.

In the upcoming Mexican presidential election on Sunday, 2024, the country has experienced one of its most violent years for candidates and election officials, with over 225 deaths reported.

On Wednesday, José Alfredo Cabrera Barrientos was killed in front of his supporters while campaigning for mayor of Coyuca de Benitez, in a region where the cartels have a strong presence. Despite being in the lead, he was murdered in this area known for its cartel activity.

During the AMLO administration, electoral political violence increased by 235.7% from 2018 to 2023, with 2024 being the most violent year so far, according to Data Cívica.

Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, a candidate for mayor of Alcaldía Cuauhtémoc in Mexico City, survived an assassination attempt in the Peralvillo neighborhood. She was leaving a neighborhood assembly late at night when she was shot 6 times while inside her vehicle.

The prosecutor's office, which responds to government orders, has been the worst thing I have had to face. Despite fighting for women victims of violence for 6 years and helping 30 women a day in Mexico City, I know the criminal negligence with which they act. When it happens to you, it feels so much deeper.

Reuters reported that AMLO deemed the new data "sensationalism" and defended his record, citing a 5% drop in homicides in 2023 compared to 2022.

A report from Integralia, a Mexican consulting firm, states that political violence has resulted in 701 victims from September 2023 to May 19, 2024, including 225 murders of candidates, politicians or former officials running for office on June 2.

Rojo de la Vega, a candidate, expressed frustration that no authority had contacted him regarding the investigation's progress. He had filed 60 complaints against various authorities regarding the violence he experienced during his campaign in Cuauhtémoc, but all demands were ignored with the government's characteristic impunity.

"The government is criticized and disdained by the victims. This has happened to me and many others, including women and Mexicans across the country. I am thankful for the chance to bring attention to the injustice and impunity that persist in Mexico, which only benefits criminals."

A report by Integralia reveals that organized crime interferes in local elections through various methods, including murders, attacks, threats against public officials and candidates, campaign financing, imposition of candidates, voter mobilization or inhibition, and alteration of the voting process on election day.

The states with the highest risk of interference by organized crime in local elections are Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, Jalisco, Chiapas, and Morelos, while nine states have a high risk, including Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, State of Mexico, Tabasco, and Veracruz.

The Intergralia report states that criminal groups primarily use municipal governments to gain power and access to resources, such as police collaboration, in order to operate with complete immunity, expand their operations, and eliminate their competitors. Electoral processes provide an opportunity for criminal groups to establish and fortify their authority from the start of a new administration.

Recently, 500 candidates have been granted federal protection against violence, as President López Obrador pointed out.

Leticia Salazar, a candidate for the municipal presidency of Matamoros, shared with Planet Chronicle Digital that this time it was her turn to experience confrontations, shootings, and risky situations, which are daily occurrences in Matamoros, a border state with the United States.

"During our tour of the Brisas neighborhood, we witnessed a tense standoff between criminals and state police. The bullets were dangerously close, but I managed to escape unscathed. A kind family offered us refuge in their home to ensure the safety of the entire team. Unfortunately, this type of incident is all too common in Matamoros. My story has gained attention because I am running for municipal presidency, but it is the daily reality faced by the citizens of Matamoros."

The city of Matamoros requires order. Criminals have progressed significantly due to the lack of intervention. Extortion is a prevalent crime in this area, affecting numerous families, merchants, and businessmen. I am resolute in establishing order in the city. No one will hinder us, and we will not be intimidated or afraid, despite the occurrence of this event.

Despite Claudia Sheinbaum's lead in official polls, some analysts predict the election is closer, with Xóchitl Gálvez's performance potentially surprising many.

Reuters contributed to this report.