The 34-year-old is reported to be in a serious but stable condition – along with a further two injured victims – after three gunmen burst in to the Queen of Kings nightclub in Los Reyes La Paz on Sunday (December 30).

Hernández, who is sports secretary for the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) in Mexico state, underwent a series of three operations on the 9 milllimetre bullet wound on the front left area of his head.

He was said to be in a "very serious" but stable condition when he arrived in the care of surgeon Carlos Castillo Rangel.

"The surgeries were successful, without any complications," Rangel said.

"We must wait and see his progress in intensive care."

Drug-related violence continues to be a serious problem in Mexico after former President Felipe Calderón launched an offensive against the nation's drug cartels in December 2006.

Gunmen frequently raid bars and more than 60,000 people have been killed in the country in the last six years as a result of the drug war.

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