Nine people were killed in two separate attacks targeting local election candidates scheduled for June 2 in Chiapas, southern Mexico, the state prosecutor's office said on Sunday.
This area has become a new target for organized crime.
The prosecutor's office stated that one of the candidates was injured in the attacks that occurred late Saturday and early Sunday in the towns of Villa Corzo and Mapastepec.
Chiapas, plagued by organized crime violence, has seen recent attacks against municipal election candidates.
On Thursday evening, six people were killed in Concordia near Villa Corzo, including Lucero López Maza, a mayoral candidate, in an ambush following a campaign event.
Since September, at least 28 candidates have been assassinated according to the non-governmental organization "Data Civica."
Cartels and gangs seek to "impose candidates" in elections, according to election crimes prosecutor Victor Serato.
The modus operandi is similar, with "criminals selecting a candidate" and informing others that they are "not allowed" to run. Pressure from drug cartels and gangs affects all parties.
On June 2, Mexico will hold its largest elections in history, including presidential, congressional, and local elections simultaneously.
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