In a tragic turn of events, Yolanda Sánchez Figueroa, the mayor of Cotija in Michoacán state, Mexico, was fatally shot on Monday, just hours after the country elected its first female president. Walking back home from a gym with her bodyguard, they fell victim to an attack by unknown assailants in a white van, according to the state attorney general's statement. Both Sánchez Figueroa and her bodyguard succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.

Confirmation of Sánchez Figueroa's death cast a dark shadow over the historic victory of Claudia Sheinbaum, who secured a landslide win to become Mexico's first female president. The achievement, highlighting progress in a country steeped in patriarchal traditions and rampant femicide, serves as a bittersweet reminder of the ongoing violence that plagues Mexico's political landscape.

The election season witnessed a wave of deadly attacks targeting political candidates, making it the bloodiest election in the country's history. Criminal organizations carried out numerous killings, attempting to influence the outcome of the vote. Amid this disturbing trend, Claudia Sheinbaum emerged victorious and will assume the presidency on October 1, succeeding President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, her long-time ally renowned for lifting many Mexicans out of poverty through social welfare programs.

However, Sheinbaum is inheriting an alarming epidemic of gang-led violence and unresolved disappearances throughout Mexico. Strengthening domestic and border security has become an urgent priority for her administration. Mexico's high homicide rate places it among the most dangerous countries globally, and women continue to face significant risks. Shockingly, approximately 10 women are murdered each day in the country, highlighting the pressing need for effective measures to protect their lives.

The state of public safety in Mexico is further underscored by the staggering figure of over 100,000 missing individuals, their fate remaining unknown. Mexico Evalua, a prominent think tank, reported that a staggering 95% of all crimes in the country went unresolved in 2022.

In a distressing background, it is worth noting that Sánchez Figueroa had previously experienced a kidnapping incident in September 2023, in the city of Zapopan. Fortunately, she was released three days later, and three men were subsequently arrested and charged in connection with her abduction.

Expressing outrage at the tragic attack on the mayor and her bodyguard, local authorities, including the government of Michoacán, have condemned the act of violence. A comprehensive security operation, jointly coordinated with federal agencies, has been initiated to apprehend those responsible for this heinous crime, stated the Ministry of Public Security for the state.

As Mexico grapples with the aftermath of this shocking incident, it is clear that a concerted effort is needed to address the rampant violence and establish a safer environment for both politicians and citizens alike.