Shocking moment hitmen disguised as construction workers assassinate mayoral candidate

This is the moment hitmen executed a formal mayoral candidate and another woman in a horrific attack (Image: NX)

This is the moment shocking footage captures the brutal assassination of a 53-year-old businessman and ex-mayoral candidate in Parramos, Guatemala. In a reported hail of over 100 bullets from AKs, AR-15s, and AR-10s, hitmen - dressed as construction workers - ambushed Elías Ramírez, a prominent businessman and former mayoral candidate in El Tejar, right outside the entrance to his company's building on November 8.

The woman with him, named Delfina Andrés, was also killed. CCTV footage of the incident, circulated on social media, shows the attackers dressed as construction workers exiting a vehicle before opening fire on the victims as they were walking along the Guatemalan street. Moments after the shooting, the assailants covered Mr Ramírez's body with his jacket before fleeing the scene. An investigation into the incident was soon launched after a report of the matter was made to the police officers.

Jose Elias Ramirez Andres, 53, was shot and killed in Guatemala (Image: NX)

Approximately eight hours after the attack, the Guatemalan National Police located the vehicle used in the crime. The police later found that the car had been reported stolen on May 22, 2025. However, no arrests have been made.

The attack is believed to be a targeted execution, possibly linked to organised crime in the construction sector. Mr Ramírez, an engineer and businessman, owned Constructora D&D Ramírez y Hernández, a local construction company. In 2023, he ran for mayor of El Tejar as a candidate for the Cabal Party but was unsuccessful in his bid for the office.

He had been a state contractor, especially for municipalities. According to public records, cited by WIC News, Mr Ramírez’s company received about $55 million (£42 million) between 2014 and 2025. Most of the work involved municipal road repairs and infrastructure projects.

The vehicle used in the crime was discovered by police eight hours later (Image: NX)

Guatemala, like other central and southern American nations, has a significant organised crime issue, fuelled by drug trafficking, which results in high rates of violence, extortion and corruption. The country's strategic location makes it a key transit point for drug trafficking, and criminal networks are involved in various activities, including arms, human and counterfeit goods trafficking.

This news comes as a TikTok star was kidnapped and publicly executed in front of her family by Al-Qaeda linked jihadists in Mali. Mariam Cisse was shot dead after being accused of filming the terror group Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and collaborating with the army.

Mariam was put to death in a public square on November 7.