In a brazen act of violence that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Mexico, two close aides to Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada were shot and killed in broad daylight on Tuesday during rush hour. The deadly attack took place on a busy avenue in the capital, leaving the nation reeling and authorities scrambling to track down the assailants.
The victims have been identified as Ximena Guzman, Mayor Brugada’s personal secretary, and Jose “Pepe” Muñoz, a trusted advisor. Both were affiliated with the ruling Morena party and had previously worked alongside President Claudia Sheinbaum, the former mayor of Mexico City.
Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen approached on a motorcycle and opened fire on the victims’ car, shattering its windows. Forensic teams and heavily armed police quickly cordoned off the area as investigators collected evidence. A body was seen lying under a white sheet near the blood-splattered vehicle.
Clara Brugada condemned the killings as a “direct attack” and vowed there would be no impunity. “Those responsible will be arrested and must face justice,” she declared during a somber press conference. Holding back emotion, Brugada led a minute of silence for the fallen aides and pledged to continue her administration’s “relentless fight against insecurity.”
President Sheinbaum, who has maintained strong ties with Brugada and the victims, denounced the killings as “deplorable.” Offering her condolences, she stated that Guzman and Muñoz had been longstanding supporters of her political movement. “With the support of the Mexican government, investigations are already under way to determine the motive for the attack,” Sheinbaum said.
Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby cameras in hopes of identifying the attackers. National Security Minister Omar García Harfuch, who survived a 2020 assassination attempt in a similarly high-profile attack blamed on the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, confirmed that his office is assisting in the manhunt.
While Mexico has been plagued by cartel-related violence—with over 480,000 murders recorded since 2006—Mexico City has generally remained more insulated from such attacks. However, recent events, including the murders of police special operations chief Milton Figueroa last July and the 2020 attack on García Harfuch, point to an alarming trend of violence creeping into the capital.
The killings have intensified calls for stronger security measures in Mexico’s political circles, especially as the country grapples with rising violence and a complex network of organized crime.
Sources By Agencies
