Political Violence Explodes in Mexico with Congressman’s Assassination [WATCH]

A federal congressman was assassinated late Monday in the Gulf Coast state of Veracruz, marking another deadly incident in a surge of political violence in Mexico.

The Veracruz Attorney General’s Office confirmed the death of Benito Aguas, a congressman in Mexico’s lower house and a member of the ruling coalition, through a social media post.

The attack occurred in the mountainous municipality of Zongolica, where Aguas was reportedly shot multiple times.

GREEN PARTY CONGRESSMAN GUN DOWN IN MEXICO

Benito Aguas, a congressman in Mexico, was shot and killed Monday night in Zongolica, Veracruz—about 250 miles east of Mexico City.

Another man, Agustin Linares, was also found dead at the scene. Police are still piecing together… pic.twitter.com/z8S48O5HVW

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 10, 2024

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Another man, identified as Agustin Linares, was also found dead at the scene, according to the attorney general’s office. Authorities have launched an investigation into the suspected murders.

Aguas, a representative of Mexico’s Green Party, was part of the ruling coalition led by President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Morena Party. Sheinbaum assumed office in October, promising to address the country’s rampant violence.

Ricardo Monreal, the leader of Mexico’s lower house of Congress, called for justice in the wake of the killings. “We trust that the relevant investigations will be carried out so that justice prevails,” Monreal stated on social media.

The assassination of Aguas is the latest in a string of attacks targeting Mexican politicians. Violence against public officials has become a grim reality, with dozens of politicians killed ahead of last year’s general election.

Momento en que arriba la ambulancia que traslada al Diputado Federal por el Distrito 18 en Zongolica Benito Aguas Atlahua al Hospital Regional del IMSS en Orizab. @@RivalLux pic.twitter.com/OjPkjanB5Z

— Jorge Faibre Álvarez (@JorgeFaibre) December 10, 2024

Analysts attribute the wave of attacks to ongoing struggles between criminal organizations over territorial control, lucrative smuggling routes, and other illegal enterprises.

Veracruz, where Aguas was killed, has been a hotspot for cartel-related violence.

Across Mexico, other regions have seen similar patterns. Western Sinaloa state, for example, has endured hundreds of deaths in intra-cartel conflicts, while Guerrero state in the south recently faced national outrage following the murder of a mayor just days after he took office in October.

The frequent targeting of public officials raises concerns about Mexico’s security policies under Sheinbaum’s administration.

Critics argue that the government has yet to effectively address the criminal networks behind these attacks or the broader violence plaguing the country.

Details about the attack remain scarce, with officials yet to disclose a possible motive or identify suspects.

A bordo de una ambulancia delicado de salud, el diputado federal por Zongolica del @partidoverdemex Benito Aguas Atlahua fue trasladado al hospital de Orizaba, Veracruz custodiado por la policía pic.twitter.com/DZvpT9ZwwT

— PEDRO MORALES LUIS (@PEDRO_REPORTERO) December 10, 2024

Local media reports suggest Aguas succumbed to his injuries after being shot multiple times. The circumstances surrounding Linares’ death, the second victim, are also under investigation.

The Veracruz Attorney General’s Office has vowed to thoroughly investigate the case, while national leaders have condemned the violence and urged swift justice.

However, similar promises in the past have often failed to bring significant results, leaving families of victims and the public demanding stronger action.

Broader Implications
The assassination underscores the precarious environment for public servants in Mexico.

While Sheinbaum’s government has pledged to implement reforms to address crime and violence, the repeated targeting of politicians highlights the deep-seated challenges her administration faces.

As Mexico reels from this latest act of violence, calls for systemic change to protect public officials and curb the influence of organized crime are growing louder.

For many, the murder of Congressman Benito Aguas is another tragic reminder of the urgent need for reform.

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