MEXICO CITY

Authorities in Mexico City arrested seven suspects on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in the double homicide of Ximena Guzmán and José Muñoz, officials in the city's government.

One day after the murders of Mayor Clara Brugada’s personal secretary and political advisor, federal and state security agencies detained the seven suspects. Authorities believe the killings may have been retaliation for the city's recent progress in cracking down on organized crime.

Authorities utilized the city’s surveillance system to track the suspects’ escape route, identifying a getaway car and a motorcycle. Investigators were able to determine the owner of one of the vehicles.

Prosecutors have also reviewed the work of Brugada, Guzmán, and Muñoz during their time in the Iztapalapa borough in southern Mexico City.

Authorities are considering whether Brugada’s efforts against organized crime may have triggered the attack.

According to the prosecutor’s office, three criminal organizations operating in Iztapalapa are active suspects in the investigation.

The first group, known as Los Tanzanios, is a small but violent organization linked to murder, extortion, armed robbery, human trafficking and enforced disappearances.

The second is led by Maricarmen Rojas and her husband, Alejandro García, alias “El Chayanne.” Both were arrested by city authorities in May. The group is also believed to have connections in the city’s police force.

The third group, Los Chikis, has been targeted under the current administration and is known for extortion and drug trafficking activities.