Mexico's ruling party divided by candidate accused of rape
MEXICO CITY – As it became clear last fall that Mexican Sen. Félix Salgado Macedonio would be running for governor of Guerrero state, Basilia Castañeda decided to go public with her accusation of rape.
She told police that back in 1998, when she was a 17-year-old political activist, she found herself alone with him at his Acapulco home.
"Without saying anything he started attacking me," she explained to Milenio newspaper, adding that when it was over he threw a 100-peso bill — about $10 at the time — in her face.
Four other women have also come forward to accuse Salgado of sexual assault, including one who told police she was drugged and raped by the politician in 2016.
Those allegations didn't stop Mexico's ruling political party from officially making Salgado its gubernatorial candidate this month.
In the face of feminist opposition, Salgado's candidacy has become a major political liability for President Andrés Manuel López
