In early 2025, the picturesque pacific coast of Oaxaca witnessed horrific mass kidnappings, including ten students from Tlaxcala. Nine of them were later found dead in Puebla, prompting investigations into municipal police involvement and possible drug-related motives. Brenda Salas, the lone survivor, accused the police of abduction, raising concerns over the integrity of local law enforcement amidst this crisis.
The idyllic Pacific coast of Oaxaca is marred by a troubling wave of violence, highlighted by two incidents of mass kidnappings in early 2025. In January, seven young men vanished near Puerto Escondido, with their disappearances linked to drug trafficking. More alarmingly, ten students from Tlaxcala were abducted in February while vacationing in the popular areas of Zipolite and Huatulco.
Authorities reported that on March 2, dismembered bodies of nine victims were discovered in an abandoned vehicle in Puebla, far from where they disappeared. The victims, comprising four women and five men aged 19 to 29, had suffered bullet wounds and signs of torture. The motives remain unclear, though potential links to police corruption and rival drug gangs are under investigation.
Brenda Salas, the only survivor, was found and stated that she and another friend were taken by municipal police, raising serious concerns about local law enforcement’s involvement. A timeline of abductions details that several groups vanished simultaneously, with various families in distress over their loved ones’ fates.
Luis Romero López, Oaxaca’s interior minister, confirmed an arrest related to the case while denying safety concerns regarding Huatulco. He emphasized the ongoing state investigation for clarity and justice amidst social outcry. The gruesome discovery of bodies and Brenda’s testimony has generated skepticism surrounding local police integrity, as suspicions arise regarding their potential participation in these crimes.
In a troubling possible connection, news emerged regarding the murder of local businessman José Alfredo Lavariega, which occurred near the time of the students’ abduction. Reports speculate he may have hosted the victims, leading authorities to examine potential ties between him and the young people’s fates. Although allegations suggest the victims could have been involved in criminal activities, there has been no official confirmation of their criminal involvement, pointing to a worrying trend of victim-blaming in cases of violence against civilians in Mexico.
The recent abduction and murder of young people in Oaxaca underscore a severe security crisis exacerbated by drug trafficking and potential police complicity. With the discovery of victims’ bodies and Brenda Salas’ testimony, concerns about law enforcement integrity emerge. The link between local businesses and criminal activity raises further questions, illustrating the complex interplay of violence, societal safety, and the treatment of victims in Mexico’s ongoing struggle with crime.
Original Source: mexiconewsdaily.com
