Mexican Congressman Assassinated as Political Violence Plagues Mexico

What Happened

Benito Aguas, a member of Mexico’s 500-member lower house of Congress, was murdered yesterday in Veracruz, Mexico.

Local authorities reported Mr. Aguas suffered multiple gunshot wounds in Zongolica, which is in the central portion of the state of Veracruz.

The slain congressman belonged to Mexico’s Green Party, which is an ally of new Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the first woman ever to be President of Mexico.

So far, Mexican authorities have not indicated they have any suspects for the killing, which is part of a trend of political violence that has plagued Mexico in the past several years…

Why it Matters

According to Data Civica, during its last presidential election in 2018, Mexico saw a significant level of political violence.

Overall, there were 167 attacks on candidates, 92 of which were classified as homicides by Mexican authorities.

In 2024 political violence increased in Mexico from the 2018 level. There were 275 known cases, 171 of which were homicides.

Most of those attacks targeted officials working at the local or municipal levels. The murder of Mr. Aguas escalates the situation further because the target in this case was a member of Mexico’s federal congress not just a lower-level official.

Because Mexico is a major corridor for illegal drugs coming from Central and South American into the United States, drug cartels place a premium on controlling municipal offices to facilitate their illicit drug trade.

Local officials who will turn a blind eye to the flow of illegal drugs are often favored by cartels, who either bribe or threaten those officials into compliance with cartel operations. 

Municipal officials tend to receive security only from local police, who are also frequently compromised by cartels. By contrast, candidates for federal office can receive transportation and security from Mexico’s version of the National Guard, which is generally thought to be less receptive to cartel influence.

The targeted killing of a Presidential ally at the federal level could be interpreted as a warning from the cartels to President Sheinbaum to back off plans to crack down on corruption and illegal drug smuggling. 

How it Affects You

The incoming Trump administration plans to increase deportations of illegal immigrants. And should those plans be implemented as advertised, they will involve sending many of those deported to or through Mexico.

Rising political violence in Mexico is a sign the Mexican government is not prepared to handle or manage such an influx from the United States, since they are currently unable to even protect their own officials. 

Government dysfunction and political violence in Mexico could be problematic for the Trump administration’s plans to deal with illegal immigrants. Without adequate support from the Mexican government, those deported south through Mexico could simply turn around and head right back to the United States.