In Mexico, a popular gubernatorial candidate in the northern state of Tamaulipas was murdered Monday, less than a week before he was expected to win the July 4th election. Rodolfo Torre and four aides were killed when gunmen ambushed their campaign caravan. The killing of Torre has been described as the highest-level political assassination in Mexico in over fifteen years. President Felipe Calderón condemned the shooting.

Felipe Calderón: “These events present an attack, not only against one citizen, a citizen who aspired to serve his community from a public responsibility (position), but they are attacks against the whole society. It’s an event not only against one candidate from a political party, but also against democratic institutions.”