Mexico City - Two top aides of Mexican city mayor Clara Brugada were ambushed by gunmen during a daytime attack in downtown Tuesday.

According to a statement from the city, the victim was Ximena Guzmán, the mayor’s personal secretary, and an advisor to Brugada (José Muñoz).

These assassinations have sent shockwaves through Mexico's capital, widely regarded as an oasis of relative security for violence-plagued nations. Political violence has become common in many parts of Mexico, where many local political candidates have been assassinated, allegedly linked to drug cartels seeking to exert influence.

An official from the federal prosecutor's office said initial reports showed Guzm had been driving to work and picked up her colleagues on a busy street in the heart of Mexico's city.

Muñoz approached by two gunmen on a motorcycle, who shot and killed him in the street. Then, Guzman, who was inside the car, fired at least four shots and killed her.

Although security experts say this appears to be caused by organized crime, authorities have not yet motivated the attack.

The Mexico City Civil Security Office said the motorcycle had been caught in a short distance as well as another vehicle near Iztacalco, while investigators were studying ballistic and fingerprint evidence at the scene.

“I feel so sad about losing Ximena and Pepe (Jose), and we have shared our dreams and struggles with over the years,” Brugada was in great pain.

She thanked Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and the cabinet for their support and cooperation since the attack. Sheinbaum is the former mayor of Mexico City.

"This is a sad event and we will be all the support the mayor may need," Sheinbaum said.

Brugada added that there is no punishment for those responsible for the killing. Mexican city officials told Reuters she was not in the car when the attack occurred.

Photos from local media show a black Audi with four bullet holes in the front window, a piece of paper covering something that appears to be a body, while another body is covered with white sheets on the sidewalk.

Police patrol recorded the area so forensic experts can check the scene.

"This is a harsh message sent to Brugada, undoubtedly committed by drug traffickers." He said groups affected by drug seizures have previously launched attacks on capital authorities.

In 2020, then-Mexican City Police Chief Omar García Harfuch, now the federal security minister, was shot and injured, killing two of his bodyguards. The attack was blamed by him on a new generation of Jalisco cartel, one of the country's most powerful drug groups.