Charred bodies found in northern Mexican border city ahead of visit by presidential candidate

MEXICO CITY

The remains of at least 10 bodies were found by authorities in Nuevo Leon, a state bordering the US in northeastern Mexico, prosecutors said Thursday.

The discovery occurred hours before a planned visit by the ruling National Regeneration Movement presidential candidate, Claudia Sheinbaum.

Authorities in the small municipality of Pesqueria were alerted about the scene on Wednesday.

Initial reports said a burned pickup truck was stranded in a vacant lot, with a body and three burned skulls inside.

The prosecutor's office said five bodies, five skulls and four skeletal remains had been found. Some were found inside the vehicle and more in the immediate area that showed different degrees of decomposition.

The army, as well as police and prosecutors, have cordoned off the area and are beginning investigations to determine the number of bodies and the cause of death.

Ricardo Lozano Hernandez, a radiologist at the Mexican Social Security Institute, has been identified as the owner of the pickup. Hernandez was reported missing Feb. 22.

Sheinbaum lamented the discovery of the bodies. She had scheduled a massive rally in the central square of the municipality where the bodies were found.

"This finding is regrettable, and we do not believe it has to do with the campaigns," she said.

The escalation of violence in Nuevo Leon has been driven by the expansion of the Northeast Cartel (CDN), a criminal syndicate whose stronghold is in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, a city on the border, according to state authorities,

But organizations such as the US crime think tank Insight Crime have noted that the cartel has attempted to expand into southern Nuevo Leon, which has spiked violence in the region.

Mexico will hold its presidential election June 2.