CNN
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The Mayor of Mexico City’s private secretary and advisor was shot dead by a gunman on a motorcycle in an attack in the Mexican capital on Tuesday.
Mexico City Major Clara Bulgada said Ximena Guzmán and José Muñoz had died “in direct attacks” in modern-day neighborhoods.
Bulgada, as mayor of Mexico City, holds the country’s second-strongest political office, after President Claudia Sheinbaum. Brugada and Sheinbaum are allies of the Morena Party.
Mexico City and federal authorities said they are investigating the motives of the attack and analyzing surveillance footage to identify gunmen.
The Mexico City Attorney General’s Office said the attack occurred when the vehicle was intercepted on the way to work.
The attack took place between Calzada de Trapan and Napoleon Street.
Footage from the crime scene showed a forensic team inspecting a vehicle with several bullet holes in the windshield.
Bulgada said her government was “deeply saddened” by the loss of her colleagues, describing Guzman as a wonderful and kind woman, and Munoz said she was one of the smartest people she’d ever met.
Sinbaum expressed his sadness to the two officials’ loved ones at a press conference Tuesday morning and offered her support for the investigation.
“We will reach the bottom of this situation and ensure that justice is provided,” Sinbaum said.
The president said that both Guzman and Munoz “were worked in our movement (Morena Party) for a long time. We know them.”
Sheinbaum added that no further information is available at this time.
In Mexico, attacks on politicians are common.
Last year, the country saw record numbers of victims from political violence, and human rights group Datavika reported 661 attacks on people and facilities. Many of the victims either held or were running at the local government level position.
In May 2024, a mayoral candidate was killed at a campaign stop in southern Guerrero.
A few days later, Mayor Kotilla of Michoacan was shot dead while walking home from the gym with his bodyguard.
In October, Mayor of Guerrero’s capital, Chilpanche, was killed less than a week after taking office.
Earlier this month, the mayoral candidate for Veracruz was shot along with three others during a live broadcast of the campaign rally.
