Sep 21, 2025

Loreto Mayor Demands State, Federal Help After Violent Crimes Rock Peaceful Community

Editor September 21, 2025 Baja California Sur, Mexico, special

LORETO, Baja California Sur, Mexico — The mayor of the popular Baja California Sur tourist destination of Loreto issued a stark public appeal Monday, expressing grief over a brutal double homicide that shook the community and demanding that state and federal authorities step in to help curb a surge in violence.

Mayor Paz Ochoa, in a somber audio address, called the killings that occurred early Sunday “very difficult moments, never before seen” in the city known for its historic mission and sportfishing. The violence, which left members of two well-known local families dead, has sparked fear and outrage in a place unaccustomed to such brazen crimes.

“I accept my responsibility as municipal authority,” Paz Ochoa stated. However, she quickly pivoted to a direct call for action from higher levels of government, underscoring the limited power of local officials in Mexico’s complex security apparatus. “I demand that the state and federal government work hand in hand,” she said. “We demand ‘mano dura’ [a strong hand], that they reinforce security and work for the peace of all Loreto residents.”

The mayor extended her “solidarity and deepest condolences” to the families of the victims, identified as the Barrón Mireles and Arias García families, asking for “strength and resignation” in their time of grief.

Her statement highlights a common and growing frustration among municipal leaders in Mexico, who are often the first to face citizens’ anger over crime but lack control over the better-armed and better-funded state and federal police forces that are crucial for tackling organized criminal activity.

Paz Ochoa pledged to continue working for the safety of Loreto’s residents but was blunt about the challenges. “In order to be able to work, it is necessary to accept the conditions we live in today,” she said.

The incident represents a significant threat to the sense of security in Loreto, a so-called "Pueblo Mágico" whose economy is heavily reliant on tourism. The appeal from its mayor is a clear signal that local resources are overwhelmed and that the violence, if unchecked, could have dire consequences for the region beyond the immediate human tragedy.

As of Monday, state prosecutors had not released further details about the investigation or any potential suspects. The community now waits to see if the higher levels of government will answer their mayor’s call.