Mexican President Lopez Obrador responds to mayoral candidate’s slaying
Al Jazeera
The death of Bertha Gisela Gaytán has renewed concerns over violence in the lead-up to the nationwide election on June 2.
Outgoing Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has offered condolences to the family of a slain mayoral candidate who was shot dead shortly after launching her campaign.
The shooting was the latest in a string of violence against political hopefuls ahead of Mexico’s June 2 general elections.
“These events are very regrettable because these are people are fighting to defend democracy,” López Obrador said during his daily news conference on Tuesday. “They’re out on the street, face to face.”
López Obrador’s remarks came in response to the death of Bertha Gisela Gaytán, a candidate representing the left-wing party he founded, Morena. She was running to be mayor of Celaya, northwest of Mexico City.
On Monday, the first day of her campaign, Gaytán rallied with supporters in the streets of San Miguel Octopan, a town just outside of Celaya.
