MEXICO CITY, June 14 (Bernama-dpa) -- Gunmen killed the mayor of a town in southern Mexico, local prosecutors said on Saturday, in the latest attack targeting local officials in the country, reported German news agency dpa.
Armed assailants opened fire on José Ángel Bravo Martínez, mayor of San Miguel Amatitlán in Oaxaca state, prosecutors said. Security forces launched a manhunt for the attackers and deployed additional personnel to the area.
The mayor's National Action Party (PAN) condemned the killing, saying an attack on a democratically elected official was a direct assault on peace, institutions and the will of the people.
"We must not accept such incidents as normal and must not allow fear to undermine political participation and public service. Justice and the rule of law must prevail," the party said in a statement.
The motive for the attack was not immediately clear.
Mayors and local government officials in Mexico are frequently targeted in attacks, often linked to organised crime groups.
Security in Mexico has drawn renewed attention following the opening of the World Cup in Mexico City on Thursday. In February, more than 70 people were killed in clashes that followed the arrest and death of a powerful drug cartel leader.
--BERNAMA-dpa
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