A mayor in the central Mexican state of San Luis Potosi, who was a member of the ruling Morena party, was shot dead on Sunday along with three other people, local authorities said, while a prominent vineyard owner was killed in another central region.

Jesus Eduardo Franco, the mayor of the municipality of Tankenhuitz, and the three other victims were found dead in a vehicle, according to state prosecutor's office.

"We deeply regret the death of our colleague Eduardo Franco, municipal president of Tankanhuyts," said party president Morena Rita Rodríguez wrote on social networks.

"We ask the authorities to reach the ultimate consequences and find those responsible," she added.

Politicians, especially at the local level, often become a victim of bloodshed related to corruption and drug trafficking for billions of dollars. Earlier this month, a Mexican congressman who was a member of the governing coalition was shot dead in the coastal state of Veracruz.

He was mayor in October killed and beheaded in the southern state of Guerrero. The following month was a former prosecutor and local police officer arrested in connection with the brutal murder.

Wine entrepreneur killed in central Mexico

Meanwhile, a prominent vineyard owner was murdered in Mexico State of Guanajuatocentral region that has been plagued by violence linked to organized crime, authorities said Sunday.

Ricardo Vega was the owner of the Cuna de Tierra vineyards located in the town of Dolores Hidalgo.

"I deeply regret and strongly condemn the cowardly murder of Ricardo Vega," Mauricio Trejo, mayor of the nearby city of San Miguel de Allende, posted on social network X. "Insecurity reigns in Guanajuato."

Colonial-era San Miguel de Allende is part of an area rich in art and cultural festivals, frequented by American tourists.

The Mexican Wine Council, an organization of the country's winegrowers, expressed sadness at Vega's death and described him as a "visionary leader and tireless defender of Mexican wine."

Local newspaper AM reported that Vega was attacked on Saturday by gunmen while driving his truck in the area. He said the murder was under investigation.

More than 450,000 people have been killed and thousands have gone missing since the Mexican government deployed the army to fight drug trafficking in 2006, according to official figures.