Assassination of Mexico City Mayor’s Advisers Highlights Growing Political Violence

A shocking shooting on Tuesday morning in Mexico City’s Moderna neighborhood left two close aides to Mayor Clara Brugada dead. The victims, private secretary Ximena Guzmán and adviser José Muñoz, were targeted in a violent motorcycle ambush.

The attack occurred between Calzada de Tlalpan and Napoleón Street as the officials were en route to work. Witnesses reported gunmen on a motorcycle intercepted their vehicle, firing multiple shots before fleeing the scene.

Forensic teams arrived promptly, inspecting the vehicle riddled with bullet holes, particularly in the windshield. Surveillance footage from nearby cameras is being reviewed by investigators seeking to identify the assailants.

Mayor Brugada publicly mourned the loss of her trusted colleagues, describing Guzmán as kind-hearted and Muñoz as exceptionally intelligent. She lamented that their deaths represented a huge loss for her administration and the city.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, a political ally and former mayor, offered her condolences during a press briefing. She promised to support the investigation fully and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Sheinbaum emphasized that both victims were long-time members of the Morena party, deeply committed to public service. Their assassination is a grave blow to the political movement and the country’s democratic institutions.

The Mexico City Attorney General’s Office confirmed the incident as a direct attack and is actively investigating the motive. Authorities suspect political violence but have yet to release detailed findings or identify suspects.

The killings reflect a wider pattern of rising political violence in Mexico. Data Cívica reported 661 attacks on politicians and political institutions in 2023, making it the deadliest year on record for such crimes.

Several high-profile assassinations occurred earlier this year, including the killing of a mayoral candidate in Guerrero and mayors in Michoacán and Chilpancingo, highlighting an escalating crisis in the country’s political landscape.

With Guzmán and Muñoz’s deaths, public pressure mounts for increased protection of political figures. Citizens and officials alike demand decisive action to combat impunity and restore safety for those serving in public office.