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Zenyazen Escobar was discovered in his vehicle on the side of a highway, with a firearm found nearby, state authorities said.
Zenyazen Escobar, who represented Veracruz in Mexico’s lower house. (Image via X/@ZenyazenEscobar)
A Mexican federal lawmaker from the ruling Morena party was found dead inside his car with a gunshot wound in the eastern state of Veracruz on Friday.
Zenyazen Escobar, who represented Veracruz in Mexico’s lower house, was discovered in his vehicle on the side of a highway, with a firearm found nearby, state authorities said.
Veracruz Secretary of Government Ricardo Ahued said investigators had not determined whether the death was a suicide or homicide.
“The death was caused by a firearm; we can’t expand on any hypotheses,” Ahued told reporters, adding that state prosecutors had opened an investigation.
State Attorney General Lisbeth Jimenez also confirmed that an investigation was under way but gave no further details.
No Signs of Attack on Vehicle
Ahued said there were no indications that Escobar’s vehicle had been attacked.
“It was not an attack because the car is on the side (of the road), and there is no sign that there was greater aggression against the vehicle,” he said.
According to the official, Escobar was found in the driver’s seat. Local media published photographs appearing to show a firearm between his legs.
Mexico’s lower house expressed condolences to Escobar’s family and friends and called on judicial authorities to conduct a “thorough investigation into the facts”.
Escobar was a teacher and union leader before entering the Chamber of Deputies in September 2024.
Death Comes Ahead of Elections
His death comes as Mexico prepares for elections on June 6, with voters set to elect mayors and state legislators, among other local positions.
The timing has also drawn attention to concerns over political violence and organised crime in Mexico. Veracruz is among the country’s states affected by drug-running criminal groups, which have previously been linked to violence and attempts to influence political activity.
Human rights group Data Civica recorded at least 30 incidents of political-criminal violence across 11 Mexican states in July, including 14 killings.
The organisation’s definition includes threats, murders, armed attacks, assassination attempts, disappearances and kidnappings.
Mexico’s electoral authority has previously warned that organised crime poses a serious challenge to democratic processes, citing cases involving intimidation, coercion and attacks on election materials.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Ask News18Mexican federal lawmaker Zenyazen Escobar was found dead inside his car with a gunshot wound in Veracruz. State authorities reported a firearm was found nearby, and investigators have not yet determined if it was a suicide or homicide.
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