Opposition Deputy in Mexico's Sinaloa State Receives Funeral Wreath at Home

Paola Gárate Valenzuela, a federal deputy in the northwestern Mexican state of Sinaloa, has reported receiving a funeral wreath at her home, an act she believes carries a political message. The incident has heightened concerns about security and political intimidation in a region known for its violence.

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I understand the fear that it gives my family, that it gives my friends, that it gives my team, the people who know me.

The wreath, bearing the name 'fam. Gárate Valenzuela,' was left at the deputy's residence in Culiacán, the state capital. Gárate, a member of the opposition Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), stated that the event has instilled fear in her family, friends, and team. She has requested that authorities investigate the matter with a political motive.

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I would ask the prosecutor's office to investigate this situation along a political line.

Following the incident, investigative police and officers visited Gárate's home to gather information and take her statement. A police patrol remains stationed at the location. Gárate, however, has vowed not to be silenced by fear, asserting her commitment to her responsibilities and her pursuit of security for the region.

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I am not willing to lower my voice out of fear.

Sinaloa is a focal point of Mexico's ongoing violence, particularly due to internal conflicts within the Sinaloa Cartel. Gárate herself has a history with such threats, having been kidnapped by armed individuals for several hours in 2021. The incident occurs amidst broader tensions between Mexican authorities and the U.S. Department of Justice, which has accused Sinaloa's governor and other officials of drug-related offenses.

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Fighting for the security that we long for will involve a risk because it 'inconveniences power.'