A mayor has been killed in a shooting attack in southern Mexico, according to prosecutors. Issues of violence and insecurity have once again come to the forefront in Mexico, a nation that is co-hosting the FIFA World Cup.
State prosecutors have initiated an investigation following the fatal shooting of a mayor in the southern state of Oaxaca, local authorities reported on Saturday.
Jose Angel Bravo Martinez, the mayor of San Miguel Amatitlan, succumbed to his injuries after being shot in an assault in the Mixteca region of the state, officials stated.
Organized crime syndicates, such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel, are operating in Oaxaca, which lies along the Pacific coast.
"In Oaxaca, we will not permit violence to triumph over the law or the will of our communities," state Governor Salomon Jara wrote in a post on X.
What details are available about the murder of the mayor in Oaxaca state?
The mayor of San Miguel Amatitlan, a municipality with a population of approximately 7,000, was a member of the National Action Party (PAN), which is part of an opposition party coalition.
In a statement, state prosecutors said they "immediately activated its investigation protocols for high-impact crimes" after being informed of the attack.
Prosecutors also noted that police presence in the area had been increased and a tactical unit had been deployed "to seal off escape routes and locate those responsible."
Authorities did not immediately disclose further information regarding a potential motive for the killing.
Mexico downplays World Cup security concerns
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Political violence prevalent in parts of Mexico
The security landscape in Mexico has come under scrutiny due to the FIFA World Cup, which commenced in Mexico City on Thursday.
Local officials are frequently targeted in violent incidents, especially in rural regions where organized crime groups wield significant influence.
Last month, Mario Hernandez Garcia, the mayor of Santiago Amoltepec—another town in Oaxaca—died in an attack that also claimed the lives of two other individuals.
At least 60 politicians or lawmakers were killed in targeted assassinations in 2025, according to data compiled by the non-governmental organization Causa en Comun.
City in Mexico mourns assassinated anti-cartel mayor
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Edited by: Karl Sexton
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