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Two prominent Mexican legislators from the Movimiento Ciudadano party were shot while traveling in a vehicle through central Culiacán, near City Hall, Sinaloa, highlighting the escalating political violence plaguing Mexico. Sergio Torres Félix remains in intensive care after surgery. Elizabeth Montoya is stable and out of danger but lost an eye in the attack
and will require reconstructive surgery, according to Governor Rubén Rocha Moya. A third victim, Gonzalo Quintero Baca, was also injured following the attack.
Mexico’s Political Violence Crisis Deepens
The shooting in Culiacán (on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, shortly after noon) represents the latest incident in a troubling pattern of violence targeting Mexican political figures. Sinaloa, home to one of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels, has become increasingly dangerous for public officials who often find themselves caught between criminal organizations and their duties to constituents. The attack on Torres Félix and Montoya Ojeda underscores how political participation has become a life-threatening endeavor in many Mexican states.
Movimiento Ciudadano, Mexico’s third-largest political party, has been particularly vocal about corruption and security issues, potentially making its members targets for criminal groups seeking to silence opposition voices. The party has been gaining ground in recent elections, positioning itself as an alternative to the traditional political establishment dominated by MORENA and the PRI.
Regional Security Implications
This attack sends shockwaves through Mexico’s political establishment and raises serious questions about the country’s ability to protect its democratic institutions. Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa state, has long been considered one of Mexico’s most dangerous cities due to its strategic importance in drug trafficking routes to the United States. Local politicians often face impossible choices between cooperating with criminal organizations or risking their lives by opposing them.
The incident also reflects broader challenges facing Latin American democracies, where political violence has been increasing across the region. Mexico’s struggle with cartel violence has made it one of the deadliest countries for politicians globally, with dozens of candidates and elected officials killed in recent years.
What’s Next for Mexican Democracy
The attack on these Movimiento Ciudadano legislators will likely intensify calls for enhanced security measures for Mexican political figures and renewed efforts to combat organized crime. However, the incident also highlights the complex relationship between politics and criminal organizations in states like Sinaloa, where the line between legitimate governance and criminal influence often blurs.
As Mexico prepares for ongoing political processes, the safety of candidates and elected officials remains a critical concern that could impact democratic participation and governance across the country’s most violence-affected regions.
