On the night of Wednesday, June 10, a funeral wreath was placed at the entrance of the home of PRI local deputy Paola Gárate Valenzuela in the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood of Culiacán. The incident triggered a deployment of security forces from all three levels of government and sparked a wave of condemnation from the PRI, which is demanding federal protection for the legislator and an immediate investigation by the Sinaloa State Attorney General’s Office.
The large floral arrangement, mounted on a wooden easel, bore a ribbon with the inscription “Gárate Valenzuela Family.” The legislator was at home when she discovered the wreath and immediately reported the find to emergency services; the report was logged shortly after 7:00 p.m.
Officers from the State Preventive Police, the National Guard, and the Mexican Army cordoned off the area with yellow tape. Forensic experts from the State Attorney General’s Office began collecting evidence and taking statements. As of Wednesday night, no arrests had been made.
According to local media, the deputy stated that she had not received any direct threats prior to the incident and did not know the identity of those responsible. She added that she had previously requested protection from federal authorities on several occasions but received no response.
