Organized crime and security trends in Oaxaca

Security in Oaxaca is characterized by a tension between expanding organized crime and localized law enforcement successes. On September 9, 2026, authorities conducted a coordinated raid in the Gómez Sandoval neighborhood of Santa Lucía del Camino. The operation, involving the Oaxaca State Attorney General's Office, the Mexican Navy, and the National Guard, targeted a barbershop used for drug distribution. One man was arrested, and various substances including marijuana, crystal meth, crack cocaine, heroin, and hashish were seized.

Broadly, criminal organizations have expanded their territorial presence across the state, occupying 142 of Oaxaca’s 570 municipalities. These groups have reportedly adopted tactics used in Guerrero and Michoacán, such as co-opting mayors and police chiefs through threats or bribery.

Despite this regional expansion, the municipality of Santa Lucía del Camino has reported significant improvements in safety. Local officials credited a 95% reduction in high-impact crimes to administrative restructuring, increased transparency, and the implementation of a Command and Control Center equipped with over 450 surveillance cameras.