MEXICO CITY — In a tragic incident that underscores ongoing violence in the country, gunmen have shot and killed the mayor of a small municipality in Mexico, along with three others, during an ambush on their vehicle, as reported by officials on Monday.

The attack took place late Sunday in the northern state of San Luis Potosi, where the mayor of Tancanhuitz, Jesús Franco Lárraga, was among the victims. The identities of the other three individuals who lost their lives in this brutal assault have yet to be disclosed.

Authorities are currently investigating the potential reasons behind this violent act. Tancanhuitz is situated within the predominantly rural Huasteca region, which has been experiencing significant turmoil.

This incident marks yet another in a disturbing trend of violence targeting public officials across Mexico. Only a week prior, a state judge was killed in the resort town of Acapulco, known for its high levels of crime. Furthermore, just two days before that, a federal congressman was gunned down in the Gulf state of Veracruz.

The motivations behind the assassinations of mayors in Mexico can vary, often including political discord, struggles related to corruption, and the pressure from drug cartels exerted on local leaders. As the investigation continues, the community is left to grapple with the repercussions of this latest tragedy.