Mexico Elections 2015: Miguel Ángel Luna, Congressional Candidate, Shot Dead In D.F. Campaign Office As Protesters Burn Ballots

Gunmen murdered congressional hopeful Miguel Ángel Luna on Tuesday, just five days ahead Mexico’s June 7th elections. The murder is only the latest in a string of violence that has left almost a dozen politicians killed or kidnapped. Luna, 46, was in his campaign office when multiple armed men entered and opened fire, injuring the candidate as well as his assistant. The assistant survived the attack, but on the way to the hospital Luna reportedly died from his wounds, which included a shot or shots to the thorax, according to reports.

“After the assault, an injured [Mr. Luna] was taken to the Fernando Quiroz Hospital, where he was admitted without vital signs,” Mexico’s Institute of Health said, in a statement.

Luna was a lawyer and sat on the faculty of the UNAM law school. He built his political career with the PRI (Revolutionary Institutional Party) starting as municipal representative in Chalco. He switched parties a candidate with the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) in part to be more competitive in for a congressional seat, according to Milenio.

“The PRD condemns the violence and calls for a civilized [electoral] contest that’s both peaceful and democratic,” read a statement from Luna’s party’s leaders following his death. It also called on authorities to find the perpetrators of the attack.

Around 83 million voters are eligible to vote in midterm elections next Sunday, which will decide around 2,000 local and federal races. Unrelated cartels in different regions of Mexico have murdered as well as threatened political candidates, telling them to “get in line” or face the consequences. That insecurity, coupled with the multiple internal scandals of the Enrique Peña Nieto administration, are creating a vast political crisis.

Many voters are discontent with a political system they view as corrupted and a state that appears to be unable to protect its own citizens. Teachers unions and other left-leaning groups are promising to boycott next Sunday’s election. Their members are suspected in an arson in the state of Guerrero that led the the burning of 1,000s of ballots yesterday. More militant actions aimed at impeding elections are expected from teachers groups today.

Mexico has been no stranger to violence since the government's war against drug cartels escalated in 2006. However, direct attacks on politicians and military target in the past few months are unprecedented. Between 8 and 16 candidates have been killed in the 2015 election cycle, including members of multiple political parties from the most anti-cartel to the most mainstream. In April, a cartel successfully attacked and shot down a military helicopter in Jalisco, killing seven servicemen. With the war on organized crime slipping out of control, voters are unsure whom to turn to.