CULIACAN, Mexico – Gerardo Brambila Rojo suspended his campaign for a seat in the Mexican Congress representing the western state of Sinaloa after receiving threats from an armed group, officials of the Citizens Movement party said.
Two armed men went to Brambila’s home and asked him to halt his campaign, state party chairman Mario Imaz Lopez told Efe.
The Citizens Movement reported the threat to the No. 2 official in the Sinaloa state government, Gerardo Vargas Landeros, who ordered protection for Brambila.
“He is the only candidate from the Sinaloa de Leyva municipality, he was president of an irrigation project, president of the Farmers’ Association, he is a good candidate with an excellent profile, a record of social service among the people, he is very well known and enjoys widespread support in the region,” Imaz Lopez said.
The party leader said Brambila was alarmed by the threat and has remained holed up in his home, waiting until he feels confident enough to resume his campaign.
On Tuesday, Sinaloa state legislators from Mexico’s three largest parties demanded that authorities take steps to ensure candidates’ safety.
Sinaloa, the birthplace of Mexico’s first major drug cartels, is one of the most violent regions in the country thanks to frequent armed confrontations among rival criminal organizations.
More than 83 million Mexicans are eligible to cast ballots June 7 to choose 500 federal legislators, nine state governors and hundreds of regional and local officeholders.
Violence has marred the 2015 campaign, with two candidates slain on a single day last week.
