 While Mexico had an active Communist movement at that time, like elsewhere it was divided between those who supported Stalin and those who opposed him.On 24 May 1940, a failed attempt on Trotsky's life was led by NKVD agent Iosif Grigulevich and Mexican painter David Alfaro Siqueiros.The group were disguised as police officers and managed to overpower guards, set up machine guns in the house's inner courtyard and began firing at the various rooms of the small house.