Mayor Kidnapped/Presidential Elections in 2024

Homicides decrease. Minister of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) Rosa Icela Rodríguez reported that intentional homicides decreased in September, the month reached its lowest figure in five years. However, Icela highlighted that although most crimes decreased, femicides increased. “There was a reduction of 27.2 percent, in most crimes. In intentional homicide there was a 13.9 percent reduction. However, in recent months femicides have risen.”

According to the SSPC, 2,644 intentional homicides were reported in September, 4.69 percent less than those reported in September 2021. The states with the highest number of homicides are Guanajuato, Baja California, Michoacan, State of Mexico, Jalisco and Chihuahua. Meanwhile, according to data from the SSCP, 78 cases of femicides were reported, seven more than in August. In 2021, 977 femicides were reported. Authorities report it is  the second consecutive month that the figure has increased, after having low incidence for months.

Authorities arrested those involved in the kidnapping of a Coahuila mayor. Vice Minister of Security, Ricardo Mejía, reported that there are already detainees for the disappearance of Mario Cedillo, the Mayor of Guerrero, Coahuila. “Cedillo was deprived of his liberty in Nuevo Laredo. SEDENA successfully achieved the release of the mayor, his relatives and his collaborators. The investigation continues and yesterday there were some arrests by the State Justice Prosecutor's Office.”

Authorities reported on Saturday that Cedillo, his wife, his son and several public officials disappeared on Friday around 11 P.M. After the notification, a search operation was implemented by the authorities of Coahuila and Nuevo Leon. Later, the authorities announced that they were released, but it is unknown if there was a confrontation with the kidnappers. In addition, the state of health of those kidnapped is also unknown.

Campaigns against the government do not affect the fourth transformation (4T) : AMLO. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador assured that although several adversaries want to tarnish his reputation by employing the Guacamayas leaks for instance, the government's reputation remains intact. In addition, López Obrador said that he is confident that the fourth transformation will continue in the next government. “There have always been many campaigns against my government, but we are still very accepted among the population. I am sure that someone from MORENA will be the new president and she or he will continue with the fourth transformation.”

A couple of weeks ago, various media outlets reported on information leaked by activists that stole six terabytes of information from September 2016 to September 2022. In addition, these leaked documents disclosed contracts of the army, security operatives and the president´s state of health, who later admitted he has several medical conditions.

In 2024, presidential elections will be held in June. According to a Reforma poll, MORENA is in the lead with 47 percent of those interviewed saying they will vote for the party. Meanwhile, PAN has 19 percent of the vote, PRI 18 percent and Movimiento Ciudadano 6 percent. MORENA's favorite presidential candidates are Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum.