Two Oaxaca officials killed in separate attacks within days

Two local officials were assassinated in Oaxaca within days, underscoring a surge in political violence in the southern Mexican state.

Pedro Martínez Barroso

Former mayor of San Juan Cacahuatepec (2022–2024) was shot dead inside his hardware store on Monday, July 13. The Fiscalía General del Estado de Oaxaca (FGEO) reported that a single assailant entered and fired directly at him Source: Excelsior. Martínez, a member of the Partido Verde Ecologista de México (PVEM), had also served as director of Obras y Adquisiciones de Vivienda del Bienestar Source: Infobae. The PVEM demanded a thorough investigation Source: Milenio.

Eduardo S.

The mayor of San Miguel Yogovana, Eduardo S. L., aged 65, was killed during a community patrol early Sunday, July 12. According to the FGEO, he spotted two motorcycles outside a home and requested police assistance; occupants then opened fire, killing him Source: Infobae (EFE). Heraldo reports that in the exchange, one suspect was wounded and two were detained, while others fled Source: Heraldo. The FGEO said it has identified the probable perpetrators Source: Diario Libre.

Wider pattern

Martínez's death follows the November 2025 murder of a councilwoman in the same municipality Source: Excelsior. Oaxaca has seen a string of attacks on officials; nationwide, Data Cívica documented 136 killings of government officials in 2025 . The cases highlight the persistent threat to local leaders in Mexico.