The Movimiento Ciudadano party has reported on the persistent violence in Veracruz, denouncing that at least 10 of its candidates for public office have received threats from organized crime groups ahead of the electoral process in the state. This phenomenon occurs in the context of the upcoming local elections in Veracruz and Durango, as well as the national judicial election set to take place in 2025.
Luis Carbonell, coordinator of Movimiento Ciudadano in Veracruz, has expressed concern about the threats received by the party's candidates, who have been pressured to withdraw from the electoral race. Despite the warnings directed at the candidates and their families, Carbonell has vowed to continue demanding security and support for them.
In a case that illustrates this issue, in January, the municipal commissioner of Movimiento Ciudadano in Naranjos de Amatlán, Carlos Antonio Salinas, disappeared, and a month later, the councilor of Poza Rica municipality, Manuel Benavides, was kidnapped in the northern area of Veracruz. Given this situation, security has become a main concern for the party and its members in the region.
Movimiento Ciudadano has requested the local Secretary of Security to ensure the protection not only of its candidates but also of the citizens participating in the elections. Approximately 10 candidates have been directly threatened, but others have declined to participate without explaining their reasons or out of fear of reprisals.
For their part, the authorities in Veracruz have denied providing protection to the Movimiento Ciudadano candidates who have reported receiving threats, citing a lack of specific security protocols for the electoral period. In light of this situation, the party and the candidates have filed a complaint with the Public Electoral Body to seek particular attention to their cases.
In this context of violence and insecurity, Movimiento Ciudadano in Veracruz hopes that the electoral authorities will intervene and guarantee the protection of all those involved in the electoral process, as threats from criminal groups put both candidates and their families, as well as the general citizenry, at risk.
