Wednesday, February 18, 2026

PRI candidate for federal Congress assassinated in Coahuila

A lone gunman shot and killed a Coahuila candidate for federal Congress last night in Piedras Negras.

Fernando Purón Johnston, a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party and former mayor of the border municipality, was killed outside an auditorium at the Autonomous University of Coahuila after participating in a political forum.

Surveillance video captured the killer as he approached his victim from behind, pulled out a handgun and shot him twice at point-blank range, once in the head, before fleeing.

Purón died en route to the hospital.

Governor Miguel Riquelme told a press conference after the shooting that the involvement of organized crime was not being ruled out. He described Purón as a mayor who “fought against insecurity.”

The governor said someone at the scene of the murder attempted to follow the killer, who fired another shot before leaving in a vehicle.

Purón was mayor of Piedras Negras from January 2014 until last December when he took a leave of absence to run as a federal deputy. He married this year and leaves his wife and baby daughter.

Source: Vanguardia (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.

El Jalapeño: Kid Rock to headline World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City

1
Go woke, go to... Mexico City for the FIFA World Cup? Our satirical news roundup is back for a spicy bite of comedy.
new snake species

Scientists identify new snake species endemic to Mexico

0
Mexico is the world leader in snake species with over 400 known varieties, and now it has one more: a small and unusual underground dweller of which only one live specimen has been observed.
People evacuating during an earthquake alarm in Mexico City

Mexico City and México state to hold earthquake drill Wednesday

0
The first of three drills this year will be limited to Mexico City and its adjoining state, giving authorities a chance to practice rescue work and residents a chance to rehearse evacuations.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity