Mayor shot dead in Mexico's Oaxaca state

Joel Ángel Bravo Martínez, the mayor of San Miguel Amatitlán in Mexico's southern state of Oaxaca, was shot and killed at his home on Saturday. The Oaxaca State Attorney General's Office confirmed the attack in the Mixteca region municipality he governed and has initiated investigations into the high-impact crime.

According to initial reports, a group of armed men attacked the mayor at his residence. The authorities have not yet detailed the circumstances of the crime. Teams from the State Investigation Agency and the Institute of Forensic Services were dispatched to process the scene and collect evidence.

Governor Salomón Jara of Oaxaca strongly condemned the assassination, vowing to prevent the crime from going unpunished. "In Oaxaca, we will not allow violence to prevail over the law or the will of our communities," he stated.

Bravo Martínez, 53, was a member of the National Action Party (PAN) and had participated in the 2024 elections under a coalition including PAN, PRI, and PRD. His murder occurred weeks after he reported being the victim of a highway assault on May 22, where armed men intercepted his vehicle and assaulted him and his team. Local media also reported that the mayor had expressed concerns for his safety and sought state protection following that incident.

Authorities have not announced any arrests or revealed the potential motive for the crime. The assassination of public officials remains a persistent issue in Mexico. In 2025, the organization Data Cívica documented at least 136 murders of government officials or candidates, alongside 246 attacks.

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In Oaxaca, we will not allow violence to prevail over the law or the will of our communities.