Oaxaca Prosecutor's Office Offers No Information on Roxana López's Whereabouts Two Months After Disappearance; Family Demands Results

In the indigenous community of San Martín Itunyoso, Oaxaca, a cloud of uncertainty and anguish hangs heavy as the family and neighbors of Roxana López Martínez intensify their calls for justice and results regarding her disappearance. Two months have passed since the 24-year-old Triqui agronomist vanished, and despite a significant search operation involving over 150 agents from various state and federal forces, the family remains in the dark. The Oaxaca State Attorney General's Office (FGEO) has offered little concrete information, leaving Roxana's loved ones desperate for answers.

Dagoberto López Díaz has been identified as the primary suspect in Roxana's disappearance, yet the lack of progress in the investigation is deeply frustrating for her family. "We demand results from the authorities, because two weeks have passed and we know nothing. Every day that passes is one less day to find her," stated the family, emphasizing their initial struggle to even have authorities in San Martín take their report seriously. They lament the systemic disadvantages they face: "The truth is, coming from a community and not knowing our rights, the laws, besides being low-income and not speaking Spanish well, makes it very difficult, not to mention the economic problems."

Roxana López represents a beacon of hope and achievement for her community. After completing her university studies in agronomy at the Instituto Tecnológico del Valle de Oaxaca (ITVO), she returned to her village to support her family and community. She is the first woman in her family to earn a university degree, a feat achieved with immense sacrifice from her parents, who worked as construction workers and farmers to support her education. Her academic success is a source of immense pride, especially considering the statistics: in 2019, only about 6 out of 100 speakers of indigenous languages completed university, according to Oxfam Mexico.

Her disappearance occurred on February 20, 2026, during the Carnaval festivities in San Martín Itunyoso. She was last seen heading to meet Dagoberto López Díaz. The prolonged silence from the authorities is not only agonizing for the family but also raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of the justice system in protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly those from indigenous backgrounds. The family's plea is not just for Roxana's safe return but also for a thorough investigation that acknowledges and addresses the systemic barriers they face in seeking justice.