On Sunday, June 15, 2025, Lilia Gema García Soto, the mayor of San Mateo Peñas in Oaxaca, southern Mexico, was fatally shot inside the city hall building. This shocking incident once again highlights the escalating violence against politicians and public officials across Mexico, particularly exposing the severe lack of security at the local government level.
Incident and Initial Investigation
The Oaxaca State Attorney General's Office (FGEO) announced in a press release that armed assailants stormed the city hall and opened fire on Mayor Lilia Gema García Soto and another man present at the scene. Both victims died from gunshot wounds at the scene. The prosecutor's office only identified the second victim by the initials GRG, providing no further information.
Immediately after the incident, a large-scale operation was launched in conjunction with the Ministry of National Defense, the Navy, and the Ministry of Public Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) to track down the suspects. However, concrete details regarding the perpetrators or their motives have yet to be revealed.
Notably, the Oaxaca State Attorney General's Office is investigating this incident as a "homicide." Controversy is expected as the office is not applying the national protocol that mandates femicide investigations for all cases of violence against women in Mexico. This could further fuel criticism that investigations into gender-based violence in Mexico are not being properly conducted. Femicide refers to gender-based violent crimes committed against women simply because they are women, requiring special investigative procedures and sentencing criteria.
Governor's Strong Condemnation and the Reality of Widespread Violence
Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara Cruz "strongly condemned" the mayor's assassination, vowing to uncover the truth and ensure justice. Governor Jara posted a brief message on his X (formerly Twitter) account: "There can be no impunity for this act. We will work with the Attorney General's Office to clarify the facts and deliver justice. My deepest condolences to the victims' families." Despite the state government's strong declaration, political violence remains rampant across Mexico, showing little sign of abating.
In recent years, Mexico has seen an unceasing string of violent incidents targeting politicians, public officials, and electoral candidates, both during and outside of election periods. According to data compiled by the civil society organization Data Cívica, in 2025 alone, there have been a total of 246 attacks against government officials or elected office candidates in Mexico, 136 of which were homicides. These statistics reveal a severe threat to Mexico's democratic system and governance.
Oaxaca state reported 17 attacks from January to April 2025, making it the fourth highest after Sinaloa (25), Guerrero (19), and Veracruz (18). This suggests that Oaxaca is one of the regions with high drug cartel activity and political instability. In these areas, criminal organizations attempting to control illegal activities often interfere with local politics or eliminate individuals who oppose their interests to exert influence.
Furthermore, from 2018 to 2025, Data Cívica recorded a total of 2,410 incidents across Mexico involving attacks, assassinations, terrorism, or threats against political or government figures, government facilities, or political parties. These figures clearly demonstrate the extent of vulnerability within the Mexican political system and the deep penetration of criminal organizations. In many cases, this violence is used as a means to seize local power or manipulate specific political decisions.
Underlying Problems and Challenges
Mexico's problem of political violence is not merely a collection of isolated incidents but reflects complex societal and structural issues. First, corruption and the fragility of the justice system make it difficult to resolve these problems. Criminal organizations collude with corrupt officials to protect their activities and exploit loopholes in the justice system to evade punishment. This leads to a lack of proper accountability for crimes, perpetuating a vicious cycle that incites further criminality.
Additionally, the influence of drug cartels is one of the core causes of political violence in Mexico. Drug cartels seek to control local governments to protect their drug trafficking routes and illicit businesses. Politicians or officials who resist them become targets for elimination, putting immense pressure on political figures. Local governments, in particular, are often more vulnerable to cartel influence as they are less subject to central government control.
The assassination of Mayor Lilia Gema García Soto once again highlights the enormous challenges Mexico faces. Beyond simply apprehending and punishing the perpetrators, fundamental measures are urgently needed to strengthen the transparency of the justice system, eradicate corruption, and dismantle criminal organizations at their roots.
Furthermore, it is essential to enhance the capacity of local governments and expand security infrastructure to create an environment where politicians and public officials can safely carry out their duties. International support and cooperation can also play a crucial role in resolving these complex issues in Mexico. Mexico must use this incident as an impetus to seek more robust and practical solutions to the severe problem of political violence.
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