Killer shoots Mexico City mayor's top staff

Killer shoots Mexico City mayor's top staff

On Tuesday, the Mexico City mayor's private secretary and an aide were shot dead in an attack in the Mexican capital. Mayor Clara Brugada announced that Ximena Guzmán and José Muñoz died “in a direct attack” in the Moderna neighborhood.

Political significance of the victims

Clara Brugada, the mayor of Mexico City, holds the country's second highest political office after President Claudia Sheinbaum. Brugada and Sheinbaum are allies in the Morena party. The Mexico City attorney general's office said the attack occurred as the two officers were on their way to work and their vehicle was intercepted.

Investigations and video evidence

Authorities are analyzing a video circulating on social media that purports to show the moment Guzmán and Muñoz were shot. The video shows a man approaching a parked car and getting in, while another man wearing a helmet stands on the street and fires at the vehicle. The perpetrator then fled the scene.

CNN has asked the Attorney General's Office and the Department of Security and Citizen Protection whether the video matches Tuesday's attack. They replied that this is currently being investigated. The attack occurred between Calzada de Tlalpan and Napoleón Street.

Arrests and motives

Authorities announced Wednesday that at least four people allegedly involved in the attack had been identified. “Given the dynamics of the events, one can conclude that it was a direct and highly planned attack and that the perpetrators had previous experience,” prosecutor Bertha Alcalde Luján said at a news conference. She added that the motive for the attack was still under investigation and nothing could be ruled out.

Reactions of managers

Authorities seized a motorcycle near the scene as well as a vehicle in the Iztacalco neighborhood that may be linked to the incident, according to a statement joint bulletin the secretariats for civil security and the public prosecutor's office. Mayor Brugada said she was “deeply saddened” by the loss of her colleagues and described Guzmán as a wonderful and kind woman and Muñoz as one of the smartest people she had ever met.

Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences to the families of the two officers and offered her assistance in the investigation. "We will get to the bottom of this situation and ensure that justice is done," Sheinbaum said, adding that both Guzmán and Muñoz "have been active in our movement (the Morena Party) for a long time; we have known them."

Political violence in Mexico

Attacks on politicians are widespread in Mexico. Last year the country experienced one Record number of victims political violence. The human rights organization Data Cívica reported 661 attacks on people and facilities, with many of the victims holding official positions or running for local office.

In May 2024, a mayoral candidate was shot during a campaign visit to the southern state of Guerrero, which was captured on video. Days later, the mayor of Cotija, Michoacán state, was shot dead while walking home from a gym with her bodyguard.

In October, the mayor of Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero, was assassinated less than a week after taking office. Earlier this month, a mayoral candidate in the state of Veracruz was shot dead along with three others during a live broadcast of a campaign rally.

Correction

An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated how many perpetrators were involved in the incident. Authorities say it was a shooter.

CNN's Michael Rios contributed to this report.