Assault guns and explosives were used to start a fire on Guaymas City Mayor Karla Cordova, who had arrested members of criminal groups the previous week.

The Sonora State Attorney General's Office (FGJE) said on Thursday that individuals armed with assault rifles and explosives murdered three civilians and injured two more outside Guaymas City Hall, where the organization "Sea Feminists" had planned a rally against gender-based violence.

The assailants opened fire on Mayor Karla Cordova, who had just arrested members of two criminal gangs operating in the area. Although she was unharmed, photographer Noe Cabrales, 18-year-old demonstrator Marisol Cuadras, and a bodyguard were killed.

"My child, you were murdered for peacefully demonstrating in favor of a better world for all. Rest in peace! I will speak out for us against these injustices," Cuadras' mother posted on social media.

Mexico was ranked fourth among nations with the highest crime rates by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GITOC). The top three positions are held by Congo, Colombia, and Burma, all of which have more than 7.5 incidence points on a scale of 1 to 10.

According to Mexico's Urban Public Safety Survey, 66,6 percent of the adult population believes that living in their city is dangerous. National Police have recorded 25,392 murders so far this year.

In this Latin American country, gender-based violence is one of the most common causes of death. Between January and October, police recorded 842 femicides, representing a 4.9 percent rise in the number of cases reported compared to the same time in 2020.