Gisela Gaytán

Bertha Gisela Gaytán Gutiérrez (6 April 1986 – 1 April 2024) was a Mexican lawyer and politician associated with the Morena party. She was a candidate for municipal president of Celaya, her hometown, before her murder on 1 April 2024.

Early life and education
Gaytán was born in Celaya, Guanajuato, on 6 April 1986. As she grew up in a traditional family in the Benito Juárez neighborhood, she stood out early for her service. Gaytán graduated in law from Lasallista Benavente University with a master's degree in Administrative Justice and has worked both in a personal office and in the Municipal Comptroller's Office.

Career
Gaytán was encouraged to enter politics in 2016, initially in the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and later in Morena. In addition, she held relevant positions, such as vice president of the Board of Directors of the National Youth Council of the Mexican Youth Institute (IMJUVE). Her last role was as state advisor of the party in Celaya.

Assassination
On 1 April 2024, at the age of 37, Gaytán was shot and killed in the streets of San Miguel Octopan at her first campaign rally for municipal president of Celaya. It occurred shortly before 6:00p.m. as she was surrounded by supporters. As seen in videos published on social media, supporters were chanting "Morena, Morena" before being interrupted by several gunshots.

A candidate for regidor (city councillor), Adrián Guerrero Caracheo was also declared dead by authorities following the attack, but it was later confirmed he had gone into hiding out of a fear for his life.

Reactions
The first to speak out on the matter was Morenista Alcaraz Hernández, who announced that she would not give any more statements out of respect for the "irreparable loss" of her partner.

"“I am shocked, angry, sad and in mourning. I announce that today we are going to suspend our campaign and in the next few hours we will give an official position. My condolences and quick resignation to his family and friends. Rest in peace,”" she wrote via X, formerly Twitter.

Subsequently, National Action Party (PAN) member Libia Dennise García Muñoz Ledo, condemned the crime and sent her condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Gaytán.

At a press conference on 2 April, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador regretted the murder and sent his condolences to family, friends and colleagues. The Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, assured that the federal government had measured in place to protect political candidates from violence.