A local politician in the Mexican municipality of Tecate is recovering after a violent attack on Tuesday afternoon that claimed the life of her husband. Maria de Jesus Quijada, a councilor representing the ruling party in the region bordering the United States, was traveling in a vehicle with her family when assailants opened fire on them. Her husband, who was accompanying her, did not survive the assault.
Quijada and her daughter, reported to be 15 years old, sustained injuries during the shooting. According to reports, the family was en route to a school graduation ceremony at the time of the incident. Both survivors were transported to a hospital in the United States for medical treatment. Quijada’s father later provided an update to the media, stating he had been informed that both his daughter and granddaughter were considered "out of danger."
Mexico’s security secretariat confirmed the incident and emphasized that they are coordinating with local authorities to conduct a thorough investigation. In a statement, the ministry vowed that "there will be no impunity," although they have not yet disclosed any specific details regarding the potential motives behind the attack. Investigators have reportedly discovered a burnt-out vehicle less than two miles from the crime scene that matches the description of the one used by the perpetrators.
The attack highlights the ongoing danger faced by local officials in Mexico, where criminal gangs frequently target politicians, particularly in areas contested by cartels along the U.S. border. Government data indicates that 13 mayors have been murdered since the current administration took office in October 2024. Despite these incidents, President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Tuesday that overall homicide rates in the country have fallen by nearly half since September 2024, attributing the decline to her government's security policies. Since the launch of a national offensive against drug cartels in 2006, Mexico has faced years of intense violence, resulting in nearly half a million deaths and 130,000 disappearances according to government records.
Attackers shot dead the husband of a Mexican councilwoman, with the gunfire also injuring the politician and her daughter, authorities reported Wednesday.
