Oaxaca authorities face rise in motorcycle-based targeted killings

In Oaxaca, Mexico, a pattern of targeted killings involving motorcycle-riding hitmen is challenging local authorities. Perpetrators frequently use motorcycles to locate victims, fire weapons in public spaces, and escape quickly, often driving against traffic to evade capture.

In the municipality of Huajuapan de León, local government officials reported that nearly 99 percent of recorded executions were carried out using motorcycles. This trend affects various sectors, including journalists, local officials, union leaders, and activists.

Authorities face challenges regarding the anonymity provided by these vehicles. Oaxaca recorded 1,270 motorcycle thefts in 2025, which may be fueling criminal circuits. Proposed solutions to mitigate this issue include updating vehicle registries, enforcing visible license plates and documentation, and implementing automated license plate recognition technology at strategic locations.