The tragic killing of Mayor Clara Brugada's aides, Ximena Guzmán and José Muñoz, underscores the ongoing threat faced by political figures in Mexico, as local politicians increasingly become targets of violent crime.
Tragic Shooting Claims Lives of Key Aides to Mexico City Mayor
Tragic Shooting Claims Lives of Key Aides to Mexico City Mayor
In a disturbing roadside attack, two aides of Mayor Clara Brugada were fatally shot, raising concerns over violence against politicians.
In a shocking incident on Tuesday, a gunman shot and killed Ximena Guzmán, the private secretary of Mexico City's Mayor Clara Brugada, along with her adviser José Muñoz. The attack unfolded as Guzmán had paused her vehicle on a busy street to collect Muñoz for their morning commute. Eyewitness reports indicate that an armed individual opened fire on Guzmán first before targeting Muñoz, who was approaching the car. It’s believed that the attacker escaped on a motorcycle, possibly with accomplices by their side. The motive behind this brutal act remains unclear; however, it adds to a troubling trend of violence against politicians across Mexico.
An emotionally shaken Mayor Brugada addressed the media after the incident, expressing her grief and the shared struggles she had faced with her aides throughout their years of service together. She affirmed her commitment to seek justice for their deaths. President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to the news during her daily briefing, labeling the event "deplorable" and offering full support to Mayor Brugada, who shares a political affiliation with her.
In the aftermath, police recovered a motorcycle and another vehicle suspected to have been involved in the attack. Forensic teams meticulously analyzed the crime scene, noting the damage inflicted on Guzmán's car. CCTV footage captured a suspect approaching the vehicle, firing multiple rounds before fleeing the scene.
Brugada, who assumed office as mayor in June 2022, oversees the capital's governance, a role considered second in authority only to the presidency. While violence against politicians is not uncommon in Mexico, fatal incidents involving high-ranking officials in Mexico City are relatively rare. A significant exception noted in recent years was the ambush of the city’s former police chief, Omar García Harfuch, in 2020, where he survived a horrendous attack linked to organized crime.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into Tuesday’s murders, with indications suggesting that the gunman displayed the skills characteristic of a professional assassin.
