Mexico's female mayor killed shortly after country elected first woman President

Yolanda Sánchez Figueroa, the mayor of Cotija, Michoacán, Mexico, was shot and killed on Monday when she was returning from the gym with her security. A hospital subsequently claimed their lives. Only a few hours had passed since Claudia Sheinbaum was voted Mexico’s first female president.
Several political candidates were slain by criminal groups during the election, which was marked by rampant violence against politicians.
What’s Incident?
Just hours after Mexico elected its first female president during a campaign marked by violent attacks on contenders, the female mayor of a town in the country’s west was shot and killed on Monday, according to officials.

As per the reports of CNN World, the state attorney general released a statement claiming that Yolanda Sanchez Figueroa, the mayor of Cotija in Michoacan state, and her bodyguard were shot by someone in a white van as they were making their way back to their home from a gym.

It added that Sanchez Figueroa and her bodyguard had both later passed away in a hospital and that an inquiry had been opened. Confirmation of Sanchez Figueroa’s passing was received just hours after Claudia Sheinbaum, a candidate renowned for her patriarchal culture, emerged victorious in her race to become Mexico’s first female president.

Sheinbaum to Take Presidency in October
On October 1, Sheinbaum will take office as president, succeeding Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, her long standing friend whose social welfare policies helped many Mexicans escape poverty and elevated their leftist Morena party to the top of the polls.

However, she takes over an epidemic of unsolved disappearances and gang-related violence in the nation, and she must quickly strengthen border and internal security.

Highest Homicide Rate in Mexico
Mexico has one of the worst rates of violence worldwide, and statistics indicate that almost ten women are killed there each day, making it a deadly location for women. More than 100,000 people remain missing in the country, with no explanation of their fate. The study conducted by the group
Mexico Evalua estimates that in 2022, 95% of all crimes in the nation went unsolved.

Prior to this, Sanchez Figueroa was abducted in Zapopan, Mexico, in September 2023, and freed three days later. After being arrested, three males were accused of robbing her.

The fatal attack on the mayor and her bodyguard was condemned by local officials, including the Michoacan government.

The state’s Ministry of Public Security stated that a security operation coordinated with federal agencies had been deployed to find those responsible for the incident.

FAQs:

Q1. Who was Yolanda Sanchez Figueroa?
A1. Yolanda Sanchez Figueroa was the mayor of Cotija, Mexico.

Q2. When will Claudia Sheinbaum become president?
A2. Claudia Sheinbaum will begin the presidency on October 1.