A campaign rally for Mexican presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez turned chaotic when a strong gust of wind caused part of the stage to collapse, prompting the candidate to run for safety. The incident occurred in the wealthy suburb of San Pedro Garza Garcia, near Monterrey, and resulted in injuries to several people. Álvarez Máynez, who was unharmed, later went to a hospital, but did not provide details on the number or severity of the victims’ injuries.
Samuel Garcia, the governor of Nuevo Leon and a member of Álvarez Máynez’s Citizens Movement party, confirmed that there were injuries among the attendees at the rally. Miguel Treviño, the mayor of San Pedro Garza Garcia, also expressed concern for those affected by the accident, stating that some people were reported trapped and injured. The incident occurred during a campaign event leading up to the June 2 presidential, state, and municipal elections in Mexico.
Video footage of the accident captured the moment when the stage collapsed, causing Álvarez Máynez to quickly move to safety. The structure appeared to consist of light framework pieces and a large screen with the party’s logo and lights. Despite the scare, the candidate managed to avoid any harm and urged to focus on caring for the victims of the accident. Álvarez Máynez, who is currently in third place in the presidential race, is trailing behind front-runner Claudia Sheinbaum and opposition coalition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez.
The incident at the campaign rally comes amidst a tense election season in Mexico, marked by the killings of multiple candidates for local offices. However, this incident is one of the few campaign-related accidents to occur during the current election cycle. The safety and security of candidates and attendees at political events have become a growing concern in Mexico, as the country prepares for a pivotal election that will shape its future leadership. Despite the challenges and risks involved in campaigning, candidates like Álvarez Máynez continue to engage with voters and promote their platforms ahead of the upcoming elections.
