Mexican Lawmaker Found Dead in Car with Gunshot Wound

Zenyazen Escobar, a member of Mexico's Congress representing the ruling Morena party, was found dead on Friday in the coastal state of Veracruz, home to several oil complexes, with at least one gunshot wound. His body was found inside a car. His death came less than a year before local and federal elections.

State Attorney General Lisbeth Jiménez said investigators were looking into the case but gave no further details. According to state government official Ricardo Ahued, the vehicle showed no visible signs of violence.

The lower house of Congress expressed its condolences to Escobar's family and friends and called on judicial authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of his death.

Mexico is set to hold elections on 6 June for mayors, governors, state legislators and city council members. Previous elections in some regions were marred by violence linked to organized crime, as criminal groups sought to influence politicians and consolidate control over territory.

The organization Data Cívica recorded at least 30 cases of politically motivated criminal violence in 11 states in July alone, including 14 murders.

(Reuters, lud)