Oaxaca officials arrested for coercing mayor to resign

Authorities in Oaxaca have arrested two municipal officials in Santiago Choápam following allegations of political violence and coercion against the local mayor, Dolores Luciana Valadez.

The Oaxaca State Attorney General's Office (FGEO) apprehended municipal trustee Jorge Méndez Martínez and treasury councilman Abelino Bartolo Cruz. The arrests stem from an incident in June 2026, during which the mayor was allegedly detained against her will at a community meeting. During this period, she was reportedly pressured and intimidated into signing a document to resign from her position.

Valadez has accused the officials of continuous harassment and gender-based political violence, claiming they questioned her ability to govern due to her status as a homemaker. The legal process is currently ongoing.