A mayoral candidate from Mascota in eastern Mexico, Jaime Vera, was fatally shot in Zapopan, Jalisco, on Thursday, according to statements from the security cabinet coordinator for his party. The deceased was identified as the Green Party (PVEM) candidate in the municipality, running in alliance with Morena and the PT. This update comes as investigators continue reviewing the case.
Early indications suggest the candidate was preparing to file registration documents to contest the Green Party’s local electoral contest. Public statements will be issued once investigators from the Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office complete their inquiries, a point emphasized by the party official on social media as new details emerge.
The shooting took place at the intersection of Moctezuma Street and Manuel J. Clouthier Avenue in Zapopan’s Puerta del Sol district. Eyewitnesses described a man approaching Vera, firing several shots, and then fleeing on foot. The victim was found beside his pickup truck on the roadway.
The Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office confirmed on its X platform that it is examining the incident. Sánchez noted that PVEM leadership had been contacted to provide necessary support, and the office stated that a formal inquiry is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the death at the junction of Avenida Manuel J. Clouthier and Avenida Moctezuma in Zapopan.
The incident unfolds amid broader political tensions, with opposition figures pressing for a safer climate and robust democratic processes. Marko Cortés, head of the National Action Party, condemned the violence and highlighted concerns about the risks facing the upcoming electoral cycle. The episode has sparked questions about security and governance at a national level, prompting calls for swift action from authorities and from political organizations alike.
In a parallel message, Claudia Sheinbaum, a presidential candidate for the governing coalition, pledged that the forthcoming elections would be conducted with peace, orderly conduct, and broad public participation. Speaking during a parliamentary session, she stressed a commitment to a transparent and credible voting process as the nation prepares for what many describe as the largest electoral event in its history.