Two high-ranking aides to Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada were tragically shot and killed on Tuesday morning in a brazen attack in the capital. The victims, Ximena Guzmán, the mayor’s private secretary, and José Muñoz, an adviser, were gunned down at an intersection in the Benito Juarez borough, as confirmed by President Claudia Sheinbaum during a press briefing.
Sheinbaum, visibly shaken, expressed her sorrow and vowed that there would be no impunity for the crime. "Those responsible will be detained and will have to confront justice," she stated. Brugada also shared her condolences on social media but did not clarify if she was the intended target of the attack.
The shooting occurred around 7:30 a.m. local time, with gunmen reportedly on a motorcycle carrying out the assault. Authorities are currently reviewing surveillance footage to identify the attackers and understand the motive behind this violent act.
Photos from the scene showed a black Audi with multiple bullet holes and sheets covering what appeared to be the victims’ bodies. Fortunately, Mayor Brugada was not in the vehicle at the time of the attack, according to a government official.
Security analyst David Saucedo commented that the killings bore the hallmarks of an organized crime hit, suggesting it was meant to exert pressure on Brugada’s administration. He also raised concerns about why someone as crucial to the mayor as Guzmán lacked a security detail.
In her statement, Sheinbaum extended her support to the families of Guzmán and Muñoz, acknowledging their long-standing commitment to the political movement. She emphasized the need for solidarity during this difficult time.
This incident marks a troubling chapter for the Mexico City government, which has faced violence in the past. Notably, in 2020, the former police chief survived an assassination attempt that left two of his bodyguards dead, an attack attributed to one of Mexico’s powerful drug cartels.
As the investigation unfolds, the city remains on high alert, grappling with the implications of this tragic event on its leadership and safety.