Assassinations strike at the heart of political power in Mexico City | El Pais
Assassinations strike at the heart of political power in Mexico City by Zedryk Raziel for El Pais | Mexico – MAY 21, 2025 – 03:52 EDT
Below is a brief survey of this article. Read the full article for a deeper analysis.
This article examines a critical incident targeting Morena party activists in Mexico City. This incident highlights the escalating political violence threatening government officials. On May 20, 2025, Ximena Guzmán, a 42-year-old sports sociologist, and José Muñoz, a 52-year-old political scientist, were fatally shot while commuting to work. Both were close collaborators of Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada, serving in key advisory roles for the Morena movement. The assassination appears to transcend typical criminal targeting, which raises questions about potential political motivations.
President Claudia Sheinbaum and Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch received word about the incident immediately during a morning press conference. This incident sent shockwaves through the political establishment. The attack’s methodology mirrors organized crime tactics, as a motorcycle-helmeted gunman fired 12 shots and swiftly escaped, underscoring the brazen nature of violence in Mexico’s current political landscape.
This article reveals deeper implications beyond a simple criminal act. Morena party members interpret the killings as a potential message targeting their political movement that challenges their governance and security strategies. The incident exposes vulnerabilities in the government’s approach to combating systemic violence, particularly in a context where criminal networks appear increasingly emboldened.
