René Valencia, leader of the Social Revolution and former PRI candidate, is attacked in Michoacán

In a second broadcast, Valencia’s wife described how the attackers continued shooting at the vehicle. “They are shooting at us, this is the second attack of the night,” he explained.

Around 8:00 p.m., Memo Valencia, René’s brother and state leader of the PRI in Michoacán, asked for help on social networks so that the authorities came to the rescue of his brother and his team.

The attack was carried out by individuals aboard a van. During the minutes after the incident, René Valencia continued broadcasting live, asking for support and warning about the situation of his bodyguards, who confronted the aggressors to protect the leaders.

Elements of the Mexican Army, the National Guard and the Civil Guard were deployed in the area to locate the victims and reinforce security in nearby communities. The authorities confirmed that those affected did not suffer injuries and that the bodyguards assigned to René Valencia by the Federal Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, Activists and Journalists were also located and taken to safety.

The Michoacán Security Secretariat reported that operational actions were reinforced in Jarácuaro and nearby communities to find those responsible for the attack.

Hours later, Memo Valencia confirmed that his brother was safe and under the protection of the Army. He thanked the authorities at all levels for their support.

The attack against René Valencia was condemned by various political figures. The national president of the PRI, Alejandro Moreno, rejected the attack, calling it cowardly. In addition, he highlighted the impunity with which criminals act in Michoacán.

Moreno also criticized the lack of action by the state and federal government, accusing Morena of turning the state into a place where “crime acts without fear and with total impunity.”

René Valencia, leader of Revolución Social and former candidate for the municipal presidency of Morelia for the PRI, is known for his work defending the rights of various communities in Michoacán.