Mexican politician injured in attack that killed husband

Mexican councilwoman and her teenage daughter were injured in a shooting near the US border that killed the politician's husband, authorities said, as investigators launched a search for those responsible.

Family attacked while travelling

Maria de Jesus Quijada, a councilwoman for the municipality of Tecate in Mexico's Baja California state, was travelling with her family on Tuesday afternoon when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle, as per CBS News.

Authorities said Quijada's husband died in the attack, while the councilwoman and her 15-year-old daughter were taken to a hospital in the United States for treatment.

Quijada's father later told reporters that both his daughter and granddaughter were "out of danger."

Investigation underway

Mexico's Security Secretariat said authorities were coordinating with local investigators and vowed there would be "no impunity" for those responsible.

Investigators later found a burnt-out vehicle matching the suspected attackers' car less than two miles from the scene.

Officials have not disclosed a possible motive for the shooting.

Violence against local officials

The attack came a day after Quijada shared a social media post about meeting residents in her community and discussing local concerns.

Violence targeting local politicians remains common in parts of Mexico, particularly in border regions where criminal organisations compete for territory.

According to local reports, 13 mayors have been killed in Mexico since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office in October 2024. Despite that, Sheinbaum said this week that homicides have fallen significantly since September 2024, crediting her administration's security strategy.

Mexico has experienced years of violence linked to organised crime since the government launched a military offensive against drug cartels in 2006.