EL PESCADERO, Mexico — Dozens of residents in the rural coastal community of El Pescadero, in Mexico’s Baja California Sur state, staged an intermittent highway blockade Thursday evening to protest what they describe as slow and insufficient progress in the investigation of a violent assault that left a young man fighting for his life.
The demonstration took place along the Transpeninsular Highway near an agricultural zone known locally as Agricole, temporarily disrupting traffic on the key roadway connecting Los Cabos and Todos Santos. Protesters demanded the immediate prosecution of those responsible for the beating of Saúl Castro Pérez, who has remained in critical condition since the early morning hours of Dec. 25.
According to family members and local residents, Castro Pérez was attacked by a group of at least nine individuals who allegedly overwhelmed him and beat him repeatedly, including with a metal pipe. The assault caused severe traumatic brain injuries. He was later found abandoned near the highway close to a popular roadside taquería and transported by emergency responders to Juan María de Salvatierra General Hospital in La Paz.
Community members say the alleged attackers have already been identified but remain free, fueling anger and suspicion among residents who fear the case may be stalled or mishandled. The protest lasted approximately three hours, with demonstrators allowing vehicles to pass intermittently before fully reopening the highway later in the evening.
Shortly after 9 p.m., officials from the state attorney general’s office arrived at the scene to engage directly with protesters. In a statement, the office said the investigation was opened on the same day as the attack and remains active.
Regional Deputy Attorney General Adriana Mendoza Estrada met with demonstrators and provided an update on the case, outlining steps taken so far, including forensic processing of the crime scene, the securing of a vehicle allegedly linked to the assault, and the collection of medical and police reports.
Following the meeting, protesters dispersed and traffic resumed normally. Authorities also announced that the state attorney general, Antonio López Rodríguez, is scheduled to meet with the victim’s family and community representatives on Friday to address concerns and provide further information on the status of the investigation.
Prosecutors emphasized that investigators continue to work on identifying and locating all suspects involved and assured the public that the case remains a priority. Officials added that they are maintaining ongoing contact with Castro Pérez’s family to provide support and updates as the investigation moves forward.
The incident has drawn wider attention in the region, highlighting longstanding concerns over public safety, accountability and trust in the justice system in smaller communities across Baja California Sur.
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