Mayoral candidate killed at campaign rally in Mexico's Guerrero state

In Mexico's southern Guerrero state, a mayoral candidate was fatally shot during a campaign rally, the most recent incident in a series of attacks preceding Sunday's elections. Alfredo Cabrera was assassinated on Wednesday in Coyuca de Benitez, as captured in a video released by local media, showing the assailant approaching him and firing multiple shots at close range.

Cabrera's death adds to the rising death toll leading up to the presidential, congressional, and local polls on June 2. The government disclosed on Tuesday that at least 22 individuals running for local office had been killed since last September.

Earlier on Tuesday, another mayoral candidate was murdered in Morelos state, while a separate candidate was shot and injured in Jalisco state.

Cabrera was affiliated with an opposition coalition supporting Xochitl Galvez, a center-right senator and Indigenous businesswoman currently polling second in the presidential race.

Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado condemned the "cowardly" killing, announcing her directive to the state prosecutor's office to swiftly pursue justice against the perpetrator(s).

The alleged attacker was reportedly killed at the scene, according to the prosecutor's office.

Security concerns arise as drug cartels frequently attempt political assassinations to assert control over local law enforcement or extort money from municipal governments.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador acknowledged in early April that cartels often exert influence over mayoral appointments, either by fielding their own candidates or eliminating potential competitors.

"They make agreements and dictate, 'this person will be mayor; we won't tolerate any other contenders,' and anyone who challenges this knows the consequences," he stated at the time.

The recent wave of killings has prompted the government to assign bodyguards to approximately 250 candidates. However, those vying for municipal positions, considered the most vulnerable, receive security assistance last.

The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), a member of the opposition coalition, criticized the government for failing to ensure candidates' safety.

Ahead of Sunday's elections, approximately 27,000 soldiers and National Guard members will be deployed to bolster security measures.