Mexico City, Mexico – As Mexico prepares for its nationwide election on Sunday, the final day of campaigning was marred by violence and attacks on candidates, highlighting the country’s ongoing struggle with a high homicide rate.
Opposition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez kicked off her last campaign rallies early Wednesday on the outskirts of Mexico City, taking aim at President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s controversial “hugs not bullets” policy towards drug cartels. Gálvez, who is facing off against López Obrador’s Morena party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum, criticized the current administration’s approach to combating crime.
“Are we going to continue with hugs, or are we going to apply the law to criminals?” Gálvez asked a cheering crowd. She promised to redirect funding back to police forces and ensure better wages for law enforcement officers, in contrast to López Obrador’s focus on the National Guard.
Meanwhile, Sheinbaum held her final rally in Mexico City’s central square, delivering a nationalistic speech to a large crowd. She praised López Obrador’s government for restoring national pride and emphasized the need to continue policies aimed at promoting peace and security, including offering apprenticeships to deter youths from joining drug cartels.
Despite López Obrador’s efforts to increase the minimum wage and expand government benefit programs, Mexico continues to grapple with a high homicide rate, with over 30,000 killings reported annually. The issue of violence was further highlighted by recent attacks on political candidates in Guerrero and Jalisco, underscoring the challenges facing the country.
In Guerrero, mayoral candidate Alfredo Cabrera was shot to death during his closing campaign event, while in Jalisco, mayoral candidate Gilberto Palomar was targeted by intruders in his campaign offices. These incidents, along with the killing of an alternate mayoral candidate in Morelos, reflect the dangers faced by those seeking public office in Mexico.
As Mexicans prepare to cast their votes on Sunday, the election is seen as a pivotal moment for the country, with gender, democracy, and populism all playing a role in shaping its future. With two women leading the presidential race, Mexico stands poised to elect its first female president, marking a significant milestone in the country’s political history.
Despite the challenges and risks involved, candidates and voters alike are determined to participate in the democratic process and shape the direction of their country. As Mexico grapples with violence and political polarization, the outcome of Sunday’s election will have far-reaching implications for the nation’s future.
As the campaign draws to a close, the people of Mexico are faced with a choice between continuity and change, between peace and security, and between hope and uncertainty. The stakes are high, but the determination to build a better future for Mexico remains strong as the country prepares to embark on a new chapter in its history.