An armed attack during a patron saint celebration in Paso Guayabo, Oaxaca, left three people dead, including former municipal presidency candidate Amy Navarrete Arriola, according to official reports from the Fiscalía General del Estado de Oaxaca (FGEO) and local authorities.
The violent episode unfolded during the night of Tuesday, September 8, in the community located within the municipality of Matías Romero Avendaño. Residents had gathered at the domo of the municipal agency for festivities honoring the Virgen de la Natividad, an event locally known as “Lavado of Olla.” According to the FGEO, armed individuals broke into the gathering and opened direct fire on the victims. The gunfire disrupted the festive atmosphere, causing panic as attendees fled to find shelter from the bullets. Initial reports reached the Matías Romero Control and Command Center regarding a person wounded by gunfire, prompting a rapid mobilization of police and emergency responders who ultimately confirmed multiple fatalities at the scene.
Investigation and Search for Suspects in Paso Guayabo
Following the deadly assault, the Fiscalía General del Estado de Oaxaca deployed personnel from the Vicefiscalía Regional del Istmo de Tehuantepec alongside the Agencia Criminal de Investigación to process the crime scene. Investigators established a security perimeter around Paso Guayabo, securing access and exit roads while collecting ballistic evidence and interviewing witnesses. By the early hours of Wednesday, September 9, authorities reported no arrests connected to the triple homicide. Investigators are currently reviewing surrounding surveillance footage, analyzing weapon types, and evaluating whether the victims were specific targets or caught in the crossfire.
Political Context and Previous Local Violence
The death of Amy Navarrete Arriola drew significant public attention due to her past political participation as the Partido Verde Ecologista de México (PVEM) candidate for the Matías Romero municipal presidency. According to journalistic accounts cited in regional coverage, Navarrete maintained political ambitions ahead of the newly declared 2026-2027 ordinary electoral process in Oaxaca, which the state’s electoral institute formally initiated just one day prior to the attack. Outlets such as Riodoce noted that Navarrete was roughly 40 years old and considered a prominent contender for the upcoming 2027 mayoral race, while also reporting that one of the other deceased victims was her photographer. Furthermore, historical local violence surfaced in reporting from Riodoce, which noted that Navarrete’s husband, Enrique Pacheco Martínez—then a magistrate for the Tribunal de Justicia Administrativa de Oaxaca—was killed alongside two other men in 2021. Despite the temporal proximity to the new electoral calendar, the FGEO emphasized that no official link has been established between the murders and Navarrete’s political career, leaving motives to be clarified as the investigation proceeds.
Did You Know? The violent attack in Paso Guayabo occurred during the traditional “Lavado de Olla” celebration honoring the Virgen de la Natividad, a community event that traditionally gathers local residents in a festive atmosphere just before tragedy struck on the night of September 8.
Expert Insight: As regional investigators work to piece together the sequence of events, the convergence of high-profile local political figures and active community gatherings highlights the severe security challenges facing municipal areas in Oaxaca as new electoral cycles commence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed in the Paso Guayabo attack?
Three people died in the shooting, including Amy Navarrete Arriola, a former candidate for the municipal presidency representing the Partido Verde Ecologista de México (PVEM). Additional reports from regional media indicate the other victims included her photographer and another man, though official confirmation on the identities of the two companions is pending.
When and where did the shooting take place?
The armed assault occurred on the night of Tuesday, September 8, inside the domo of the municipal agency in Paso Guayabo, located within the municipality of Matías Romero Avendaño, during celebrations for the Virgen de la Natividad.
Have authorities made any arrests?
No arrests had been officially reported by the early hours of Wednesday, September 9, according to law enforcement updates. The Fiscalía General del Estado de Oaxaca continues its investigation through the Vicefiscalía Regional del Istmo de Tehuantepec.
How might local security measures adapt in Oaxaca following this violent incident during the start of the electoral season?
Worth a look