**Julio Benítez Condemns Potential Political Violence During PAN’s Internal Process**
Julio Benítez, a candidate for the general secretary position of the political party PAN in Baja California, running alongside Amintha Briceño, has openly addressed allegations of personal attacks directed at Lizbeth Mata Lozano, a competing candidate. These remarks, made during the party’s internal processes, have raised concerns about possible political violence against women based on gender.
Mata Lozano, who announced her candidacy for the state leadership on September 28, claimed that negative comments concerning her appearance and candidacy were circulating from Briceño’s support circle. She emphasized that such remarks, made during pre-election activities, could lead to political violence against women based on gender discrimination.
As the election for the state party president and general secretary approaches on November 10, Benítez has made it clear that once these comments became known, he communicated with Alejandro Cota, Mata Lozano’s running partner, to express his disapproval. “We certainly do not condone this behavior, and while these are isolated incidents from certain individuals, they do not represent the overall attitude of PAN’s members,” Benítez stated.
Benítez acknowledged that similar incidents have occurred, particularly in Mexicali, where some individuals have resorted to internal attacks. He, however, refuted claims that these were initiated by any members of Briceño’s team, clarifying that the responsible individual was not part of the official lineup and is possibly a supporter of Briceño’s campaign. “We have from the start condemned such behavior and offered our apologies if our supporters have been involved, urging them to refrain from personal attacks,” he added.
Despite these issues, Benítez assures that the majority of Baja California’s municipalities remain detached from such political squabbles and expresses optimism for a successful participation in the upcoming internal vote. Benítez attended a meeting of the Urban Mobility Commission of Tijuana’s local council, further engaging with community leaders.
**Additional Insights**
In the broader spectrum of Mexican politics, gender-based political violence remains a pressing issue. As reported by various outlets, women candidates face significantly more barriers and criticism due to gender bias. The National Institute for Women in Mexico continues to push for legislative measures to shield women politicians from such aggression. Observers note that this incident within PAN highlights the persistent challenges female politicians face across all political affiliations.
Other political events in the region, such as the upcoming elections and the dynamics within political parties, suggest a heightened focus on ensuring fair practices and addressing gender-related concerns. Advocacy groups are increasingly calling for stronger enforcement of laws designed to protect female candidates, emphasizing the importance of fostering an inclusive and respectful political environment.