Mexico facing unprecedented wave of political violence ahead of elections
Violence connected to Mexico’s upcoming July 1 elections has resulted in the murder of 113 political candidates and 8 journalists since fall of 2017. Due to the size of the country and the 3,400 seats being contested, the country has been unable to provide sufficient security for candidates and their offices. According to one report, 72 percent of violence has targeted opposition candidates, reflecting the entrenched interests of cartels and the politicians and members of the security apparatus embedded in them.