Mexican authorities escort 92 people to safety over cartel fears

Mexican army soldiers drive into Apatzingan, in the Michoacan state of Mexico, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014. The city of 100,000 has been under effective control of the Knights Templar cartel for several years. (AP / Marco Ugarte)

MEXICO CITY - Mexican soldiers and police in the troubled southern state of Guerrero have escorted a convoy of 92 people terrorized by drug cartels out of their mountain hamlet.

Guerrero state security spokesman Roberto Alvarez said Wednesday that the convoy of mostly the elderly, women and children left Laguna de Huayanalco in the township of Totolapan because they fear the drug gangs that operate in the area.

Alvarez said in a statement Wednesday that the residents loaded into 11 private vehicles and were escorted out of town. Photos showed army Humvees leading the convoy.

Last month, 13 people were evacuated from Totolapan because they feared for their safety.

Alvarez said the convoy went to the town of Atoyac, across the state near the Pacific coast. It was not immediately clear why that destination was chosen.

Alvarez said the convoy went to the town of Atoyac, across the state near the Pacific coast. It was not immediately clear why that destination was chosen.

Also on Wednesday, Mexico's Green party said a female state assembly candidate was killed in the neighbouring state of Michoacan.

In February, two female state assembly candidates were slain in Guerrero.

Violence threatens to mar local races that are being held simultaneously with Mexico's July 1 presidential election. Both Michoacan and Guerrero have been plagued by drug gang violence.