The slayings of Torre and four other people in his
party underscored what analysts and officials on both sides of the
border said was the pervasive influence of criminal organization and
their determination to decide the outcome of who governs
In a country faced with so many deaths that it often
appears stoic, the killing of Torre drew widespread condemnation from
all political parties and from officials on both sides of the border
amid fresh fears that the violence in
In
saying the killing of Torre “was an act not only against a candidate of
a political party but against democratic institutions, and it requires
a united and firm response from all those who work for democracy.”
In
Torre, a member of the
to the airport in a sports utility vehicle early Monday when gunmen
opened fire. In all, five people were killed, including bodyguards and
state congressman
Officials declined to comment about the
investigation into Torre’s killing, although some said the killing
magnified the uncertainty in
in which the Gulf cartel has been battling its former employees, the
paramilitary group known as the Zetas, since the beginning of 2010.
As part of the investigation, said
Stratfor, “You have to look at the political candidate and look into
whether he had a foot in one camp or was he standing in both?”
People who knew the candidate well describe Torre, a
former physician and father of three, as a “decent man” who wanted his
state to succeed. He campaigned on a platform to improve security in
A candidate to replace Torre was expected to be
announced as early as Tuesday, an early indication that the election
will not be suspended.
In recent weeks, politicians across
have been threatened and executed by suspected drug traffickers, but
Torre was the highest ranking and most senior official to be targeted
since presidential candidate
A U.S. law intelligence official, speaking on the
condition of anonymity, said the killing of Torre marks a new chapter
and represents a darker and more imminent threat to
“Targeting politicians in
is not new, but this is a disturbing sign that this will happen on a
more systematic level,” said the official, explaining that the killing
indicates that the interest of criminal groups goes beyond controlling
drug distribution routes and now includes control or influence of key
states such as
“This will only create more anxiety among politicians. It will affect
entire political system,” as the violence is expected to escalate
between members of organized crime wanting to cement their influence in
key states.
“This signals that things are going to get considerably worse before they get better,” said
holds elections across the country for local and state office, has
already recorded one of the bloodiest electoral cycles. Several
candidates have pulled out of races. The anxiety is especially felt in
the states of
Unlike other years, campaigns have also been toned down. Here in
where the cry for democracy rang loud in the early 1980s, rallies have
been low-key. Campaigns end early and seem lackluster. Speeches end
before sun sets and campaign workers stay away from politicking after
darkness.
The sense of uncertainty is expected to keep voters
away from polls on Sunday. Officials in Chihuahua have called on local,
state and federal law enforcement authorities to stay away from polling
areas so as not to intimidate voters.
But some voters have already made up their minds. Here in
“If I vote, I will probably vote for the PRI, but
I’m very lukewarm,” she said. “What I am sure about is that I have no
more hope for this so-called Mexican democracy. They’re killing us as
though we’re a bunch of animals, just like this candidate in
———
(c) 2010, The Dallas Morning News.
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Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
