Juan Carlos Mezhua Campos, former mayor of Zongolica and ex-leader of the now-defunct PRD in the state of Veracruz, was tragically murdered on Sunday in the locality of Piedra Blancas, situated in the mountainous region of the municipality. The State Attorney General's Office has opened an investigation into the incident, which is being handled by the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Indigenous Affairs and Human Rights. The victim has been officially identified as J.C.M.C.
Authorities have announced that prosecutors, forensic experts, and investigative police are conducting the necessary procedures to clarify the circumstances surrounding the crime. As of now, there are no details regarding potential motives or suspects. The Attorney General's Office has committed to continuing the collection of evidence as part of the prosecutorial process.
Mezhua Campos, who served as mayor of Zongolica following the 2017 elections as a candidate from the PAN-PRD coalition, previously led the state PRD in Veracruz. In recent years, he had expressed interest in running as an independent candidate for governor and had initiated efforts to create a new political force. His team shared a message on his personal Facebook page to announce his death and express their views on the tragic events.