MEXICO CITY, July 4 (UPI) -- Political analysts warned drug cartels have been doing their best to intimidate candidates and voters in Sunday's elections in Mexico.
More than 1,500 state, federal and local offices in 15 states were on the ballot in an election some analysts see as a referendum on President Felipe Calderon's anti-crime efforts.
Analysts Jorge Chabat told CNN the assassination of the front-running gubernatorial candidate in the state of Tamaulipas was a dire warning to voters from the cartels.
"They are sending a message that organized crime can decide who is in or who is out, or prevent people from voting in the person of their choice," Chabat said.
Calderon has called the death of Rodolfo Torre Cantu a "an aggression" on Mexican society; however, other analysts and politicians questioned why everyday Mexicans would want to vote when drug traffickers have their eyes on elections even at the local level.
One particularly important vote could be the mayoral race in Juarez. The border city has been racked by violence for years and, the Washington Post said Sunday, will be on the receiving end of a major U.S. aid investment in anti-crime programs.
