Federal Congressman Benito Aguas was assassinated Monday night in Mexico’s Gulf Coast state of Veracruz, becoming the latest victim in a surge of political violence plaguing the nation.
The Veracruz attorney general’s office confirmed Aguas’ death along with another man, Agustin Linares, in the mountainous municipality of Zongolica. Local media reported Aguas, a member of the Green Party within President Claudia Sheinbaum’s ruling coalition, suffered multiple gunshot wounds before succumbing to his injuries.
“We trust that the relevant investigations will be carried out so that justice prevails,” lower house leader Ricardo Monreal posted on social media. President Sheinbaum, who took office in October, announced she had directed security officials to collaborate with Veracruz’s governor on the investigation.
The killing occurs amid widespread violence across Mexico, including hundreds dead in cartel warfare in Sinaloa state. Politicians have increasingly become targets, with dozens killed before last June’s general election. The October murder of a newly installed mayor in Guerrero state had already raised questions about Sheinbaum’s security policies.
