Ariadna Montiel, a state leader for the Morena party in Chihuahua, accused the state government of deploying "shock groups" to confront protesters on Saturday [1].
The allegations highlight intensifying political friction in Chihuahua as the state approaches upcoming elections. The confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition suggests a volatile environment for public demonstrations and political campaigning.
Montiel said the government of Chihuahua sent these groups to confront citizens who were marching against Governor Maru Campos on May 17, 2026 [1, 2]. The protest took place during the afternoon in Chihuahua City [2].
According to Montiel, the state government also placed propaganda for the National Action Party (PAN) on public buildings [1]. She said the objective of these actions was to intimidate those manifesting against the governor, and to provide an unfair advantage to the PAN ahead of the elections [1].
"The government of Chihuahua is sending shock groups to confront the citizens who manifest against Governor Maru Campos," Montiel said [1].
While Montiel and Morena representatives have made these accusations, other reports have not confirmed the presence of government-sponsored shock groups during the event [3]. The protest served as a visible demonstration of Morena's electoral reach in the region, according to local analysis [2].
Morena continues to challenge the administration of Campos, focusing on governance and the use of public resources. The party's leadership maintains that the state's response to the Saturday march was an attempt to stifle political opposition through intimidation [1].
“"The government of Chihuahua is sending shock groups to confront the citizens who manifest against Governor Maru Campos,"”
This escalation reflects a deepening divide between the Morena party and the PAN-led administration in Chihuahua. By accusing the government of using 'shock groups' and misappropriating public buildings for party propaganda, Morena is framing the current administration as authoritarian and biased. This rhetoric is likely intended to mobilize voters by painting the governor's office as an obstacle to democratic expression and fair electoral competition.
