The candidate for the Mayor of Paso del Macho, Carlos Ranses Neri Rodríguez, along with his brother, were kidnapped and subsequently murdered in Veracruz, amid an electoral process to renew the authorities of 212 localities in the state. Carlos Ranses Neri Rodríguez, the virtual candidate of the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM) and secretary of the municipality of Paso del Macho, along with his brother Juan David, were reported missing on Thursday night by their relatives. The last time they were heard from was when they were traveling by car through the municipality of Camarón de Tejeda, close to Paso del Macho, in the central mountainous area of Veracruz.
Following the report of their disappearance, the State Commission for the Search of Persons issued locating notices and the State Attorney General's Office opened an investigation, while various security forces implemented an operation in the area. The remains of the victims, found with signs of violence, were discovered in a canal in the ejido Actopan of the municipality of Paso del Macho during the night of Friday. The State Attorney General's Office confirmed the discovery and deployed a team to secure evidence, conduct forensic examinations, and retrieve the bodies.
In a statement, they reported that the necessary procedures are being carried out to clarify the events and find those responsible, as well as to establish a line of investigation. The state of Veracruz is preparing for the elections on June 1, in which the authorities of the 212 localities will be elected. During previous electoral processes, both federal and state, Veracruz has experienced episodes of violence.