Today, Explained Mexico’s deadly election
Jun 8, 2021
Carrie Kahn, NPR's international correspondent in Mexico City, discusses the dangerous landscape of Mexico's midterm elections, where violence from gangs and drug cartels claimed the lives of numerous candidates. Despite the peril, voter turnout remained robust, showcasing a determination for change. Kahn explores the interplay between organized crime and politics, the challenges of a young democracy, and the complexities of the current president's populist approach to corruption and U.S.-Mexico relations amid soaring violence.
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Mexico's Historic Election
- Mexico held its largest election ever, with over 20,000 candidates.
- This demonstrates the scale of Mexican democracy, which has only existed since 2000.
Violence Against Candidates
- In More León, a mayoral candidate was shot dead during a rally.
- Another candidate survived an attack after screaming at his car's occupants to duck.
The Root of Violence
- The violence in Mexican elections stems from a power struggle, not ideology.
- Winning office controls resources and contracts, creating opportunities for corruption.