The coastal region of Oaxaca, known for its stunning beaches and vibrant tourist culture, has recently become the center of a horrifying crisis. In just two months, 16 people have gone missing between the popular destinations of Huatulco, Zipolite, and Puerto Escondido, illustrating a dark and repeating terror.
The case of several young individuals from Tlaxcala who disappeared in February has captured national attention, revealing a pattern of violence that has shattered the illusion of peace in this once-idyllic region.
A Series of Disappearances: From Zipolite to Huatulco
The latest victim, Jacqueline Meza, was kidnapped while dining at a restaurant in Zipolite, a small beach town in Oaxaca. Her mother’s frantic alert was one of the first signs of a disturbing trend in this tranquil area.
In January, seven men disappeared from the same beach, and by the end of February, another group of nine young individuals vanished without a trace. Authorities have found the bodies of the second group, but the events leading up to their deaths remain shrouded in mystery.
The chilling question that has surfaced among locals and the media is: How is it possible for such disappearances to happen so openly in a tourist hotspot that attracts millions each year?
The Young Disappeared: A Tragic Pattern
On February 28, 2025, four individuals vanished from Zipolite, including Lesly Noya (21), Jacqueline Meza (23), Raúl González (28), and his girlfriend, Yamileth López (28). All were last seen in this small town of 1,000 people, known for its bohemian atmosphere and laid-back vibe.
Jacqueline’s mother’s desperate plea for help was shared widely across social media: “Please help, my daughter was taken last night. We haven’t heard from her since.”Just days earlier, similar cries for help had come from Huatulco, a renowned tourist destination known for its nine beautiful bays.
According to families, local police were involved in the abduction of Brenda Salas (19) and Angie Pérez (29), who were reportedly beaten and taken to an unknown location. Four other young people, aged between 22 and 29, disappeared in the same days, their whereabouts unknown.
These 10 victims all hailed from Tlaxcala, a state in central Mexico, and their lives tragically intertwined in the most gruesome of ways. While nine of them were found dead in a car abandoned on the side of a highway 400 kilometers away in Puebla, one survivor, Brenda Salas, miraculously remained alive. Authorities have not clarified why she was spared, and the motive behind the killings remains a mystery.
Tourism and Poverty: Oaxaca’s Struggle with Violence
The state of Oaxaca, where 60% of the population lives in poverty, heavily relies on tourism for its economy. Areas like Huatulco and Puerto Escondido are vital, providing 50,000 jobs. In 2024 alone, Oaxaca’s tourism generated over 12.7 billion pesos (approximately 579 million euros).
Despite the economic boost, the governor of Oaxaca, Salomón Jara, recently boasted about the state’s low crime rates. However, just days after his remarks, the tragic disappearances sent shockwaves through the region, highlighting the disparity between the state’s official narrative and the brutal reality unfolding on the ground.
The tragic events are particularly shocking in Oaxaca, a state that had largely avoided the massacres and disappearances that have ravaged other parts of Mexico. With 110,000 missing persons across the country, only 746 of those cases have occurred in Oaxaca. Yet, in less than a year, 23 people have disappeared from these popular tourist destinations, with 16 of them vanishing in the last two months alone.
The Coast of Oaxaca: A “Tolerated Zone” for Narcotrafficking
The coastal region of Oaxaca, long known for its pristine beaches and laid-back culture, is also a hotspot for drug trafficking. The area serves as a crucial route for the transportation of narcotics to the rest of Mexico, often with clandestine flights or boats arriving at night.
Recently, Mexican authorities intercepted over 670 kilos of cocaine in Huatulco, a reminder of the ongoing drug trade. While most of these incidents go unnoticed, local journalists claim the region has long been “a tolerated zone” for criminal activity.
The criminal organizations operating in the area maintain a tight grip on the region, as they supposedly protect the local community from more violent crimes such as robbery and extortion. This uneasy coexistence between the authorities, the local population, and criminal groups has allowed the drug trade to thrive while the rest of the country remains largely unaware.
A Deepening Crisis: What Is Happening on Oaxaca’s Coast?
The series of disappearances and violence in Oaxaca has raised urgent questions: What is happening on the coast of Oaxaca? The region is now haunted by a tragic pattern, one that points to the dark underbelly of Mexico’s ongoing drug war.
As the authorities continue their investigations and struggle to piece together what happened to these missing individuals, it remains unclear whether this is a local tragedy or part of a broader issue involving corruption, crime, and impunity.
While tourists continue to flock to Oaxaca’s picturesque beaches, the people of the region are left to grapple with the harsh reality of the ongoing violence. The situation in Zipolite, Huatulco, and Puerto Escondido is a stark reminder that even the most idyllic corners of Mexico are not immune to the pervasive issues of crime and corruption that plague the country.