By José de Jesús Cortés
State policemen guard a beach in the resort of Huatulco in Oaxaca (Mexico). Mar. 26, 2025. EFE/ Jesús Méndez
Oaxaca, Mexico, Mar 26 (EFE).- A wave of violence, including the disappearance of nine tourists and the killing of five men on a highway, is raising concerns in Oaxaca, one of southern Mexico’s top tourist destinations.
People resting on a beach in Huatulco in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Mar. 26, 2025. EFE/ Jesús Méndez
Industry leaders fear a decline in international visitors to hotspots like Huatulco. Their bodies were later found in Puebla, along the Cuacnopalan-Oaxaca highway.
People resting on a beach in Huatulco in the state of Oaxaca (Mexico). Mar. 26, 2025. EFE/ Jesús Méndez
Meanwhile, the Oaxaca state prosecutor’s office reported five fatalities on Sunday after an armed attack along the Barranca Larga-Ventanilla highway in the municipality of San Sebastián Coatlán.
Tourism sector fears damage to reputation
Lucio Gopar, a local tourism promoter, told EFE he worries that Huatulco’s image could suffer, leading to cancellations, particularly from international travelers planning visits for Easter, summer, and year-end vacations.
“We cannot judge Huatulco based on a single incident,” Gopar argued. “Maybe nothing like this had happened in 20 years. I encourage people to come, to trust that we are safe. They can see it for themselves, this is a very secure place.”
Huatulco’s 36 beaches attract over three million people and attract over three million tourists annually, according to local tourism authorities.
Many visitors enjoy the region’s cuisine, including at the restaurant of 73-year-old Cecilia Enriquez Gutierrez, who has been serving tourists for over five decades.
“We all work to protect Huatulco because tourism is our only sustainable source of income,” she told EFE.
Despite the concerns, Santa Cruz Bay welcomed dozens of international tourists over the weekend.
Jesse, a visitor vacationing with his family for a week, said he felt safe.
“We’ve been here for seven days, and we haven’t seen any security problems. People have been very kind and courteous the entire time,” he said.
Oaxaca authorities defend security efforts
The Oaxaca state government, led by the ruling Morena party, claims that homicides have dropped by 30% since 2022.
Three weeks after the disappearance of the nine young men, Oaxaca’s attorney general, Bernardo Rodríguez, stated that their murders were likely tied to local criminal groups in a targeted attack.
“The main theory is a possible settling of scores between criminal groups, including those from Tlaxcala,” Rodríguez said at a press conference.
On Monday, authorities announced that the arrest of a state prosecutor and a police commander from Huatulco, remains safe and that the recent disappearances were an isolated event, unprecedented in at least 20 years. EFE
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