In Puebla, lynching is surprisingly not yet classified as a crime, but local lawmakers are pushing for change. Andrés Villegas Mendoza, a Morena party deputy, called on the State Congress to urgently approve legislation that would formally define lynching as a punishable offense.

This comes after a violent incident over the past weekend in the municipality of Cohuecan, where a man—reported to be a scrap metal dealer, not a criminal—was attacked by a mob. Villegas Mendoza emphasized that no form of collective violence can be justified, even when aimed at detaining alleged offenders.

He urged citizens to allow authorities to handle criminal cases, warning that taking justice into their own hands endangers lives and public safety. Puebla ranks among the top seven states in Mexico with the highest number of lynching cases, highlighting the urgent need for legal reform.

The proposed law would impose prison sentences of up to 15 years for those who physically carry out lynchings, and up to 10 years for individuals who incite or promote such acts. Villegas Mendoza also called on municipal governments to strengthen protocols for responding to lynching attempts and to promptly request support from state authorities to prevent further tragedies.

While the debate continues, Puebla is also advancing in public transportation projects like the cablebús system, which promises safer, more inclusive mobility options for residents. Such infrastructure investments can play a role in addressing social inequalities that sometimes fuel unrest, offering a hopeful path forward for communities across the state.