Tragic Legacy- Unveiling the Number of Presidential Candidates Assassinated in Mexico’s History
How many presidential candidates were assassinated in Mexico?
Mexico has a long and tumultuous history with political assassinations, particularly involving presidential candidates. Throughout the country’s history, several candidates have fallen victim to assassination attempts, making it a tragic and dark chapter in Mexican politics.
The first recorded assassination of a presidential candidate in Mexico occurred in 1928. Pascual Ortiz Rubio, a prominent politician and lawyer, was assassinated in Mexico City. His assassination was attributed to political tensions and rivalries within the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Ortiz Rubio’s death marked the beginning of a series of assassinations targeting Mexican political figures.
In 1934, another presidential candidate, Lázaro Cárdenas, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. Cárdenas, who would later become Mexico’s President, was targeted by political adversaries who sought to derail his campaign. Despite the attempt on his life, Cárdenas went on to win the election and serve as President from 1934 to 1940.
One of the most infamous assassinations in Mexican history took place in 1968. Benito Juárez García, a former President and candidate for the National Action Party (PAN), was assassinated in Mexico City. His assassination was widely believed to be carried out by government agents, as part of a larger campaign to suppress political opposition.
Another tragic assassination occurred in 1988, when PRI candidate Carlos Salinas de Gortari was targeted. Although Salinas survived the attack, his campaign manager, José Francisco Ruiz Massieu, was assassinated. The attack was believed to be part of a broader conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the PRI’s hold on power.
The most recent assassination of a Mexican presidential candidate took place in 1994. Luis Donaldo Colosio, the PRI candidate, was assassinated in Tijuana. His death was a catalyst for the Zapatista National Liberation Army’s (EZLN) uprising, which began in January 1994. Colosio’s assassination remains one of the most mysterious and controversial events in Mexican political history.
In total, at least five presidential candidates have been assassinated in Mexico. These tragic events have left a lasting impact on the country’s political landscape, highlighting the volatility and violence that have often accompanied its political processes. As Mexico continues to grapple with issues of corruption, drug trafficking, and political instability, the memory of these assassinations serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who seek to lead the nation.
