A roundup of Mexico’s top headlines for May 14–15, 2025: a deadly highway crash, a TikTok influencer’s tragic livestream, political clashes over cartel dealings, early judicial voting, a severe heat wave, and a historic arrest in the Ayotzinapa case.
Mexico faced another wave of tragedy and political debate on May 14 and 15, 2025. A catastrophic multi-vehicle collision claimed multiple lives, while a rising social media star was killed during a live broadcast. President Claudia Sheinbaum waded into a diplomatic storm over alleged U.S. agreements with cartel figures, just as thousands prepared to cast early ballots in the country’s first popular judicial elections. Simultaneously, a sweeping heat wave gripped large swaths of the nation, and authorities in Guerrero moved to arrest a former magistrate in the enduring Ayotzinapa students’ disappearance case.
Deadly Highway Collision Claims 21 Lives
On May 14, authorities confirmed that at least 21 people died when three vehicles collided on the Cuacnopalan–Oaxaca highway, a major route linking the states of Oaxaca and Puebla. The crash, which also sparked a tanker fire, occurred near the Cuacnopalan tollbooth and involved a passenger bus, a cargo truck, and a tanker carrying flammable fuel. First responders reported several survivors with critical injuries, and local fire brigades worked for hours to extinguish the blaze. Officials have opened a full investigation to determine if driver error or mechanical failure contributed to the tragedy.
TikTok Influencer Shot During Livestream
In the western city of Zapopan, Jalisco, 23-year-old beauty influencer Valeria Márquez was fatally shot in the salon where she worked while broadcasting on TikTok. Video footage shows Márquez clutching a stuffed animal seconds before the assailant opened fire, leaving viewers stunned. State prosecutors have classified the case as a feminicide and launched an investigation into the motive behind the killing, which has reignited calls for stronger protections for women and public figures online. Community members held vigils demanding justice as activists protested gun violence in Jalisco.
Sheinbaum Denounces U.S. ‘Terrorist’ Negotiations
President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly criticized U.S. authorities for allegedly negotiating deals with Ovidio Guzmán, son of incarcerated drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, whose relatives were reportedly granted special protection in the United States. Sheinbaum argued that such agreements undermine Mexico’s sovereignty, noting the U.S. stance against recognizing criminal organizations as “terrorists” while protecting cartel figures. The dispute comes amid lingering tensions following former U.S. President Trump’s offer to send American troops into Mexico to assist in anti-cartel operations—a proposal Sheinbaum also declined on legal and human rights grounds.
Early Voting Underway for Historic Judicial Elections
The National Electoral Institute (INE) has begun collecting early ballots for Mexico’s controversial judicial elections, scheduled for June 1, marking the first time federal judges and magistrates will be chosen by popular vote. Between May 12 and 21, INE officials are conducting home visits for 5,555 eligible early voters, including citizens with physical disabilities and primary caregivers. Participants will receive six color-coded ballots to elect 881 judicial positions, from Supreme Court justices to electoral tribunal magistrates. The initiative aims to boost inclusion, although critics question whether voter turnout and awareness will meet expectations.
Nationwide Heat Wave Grips Mexico
Mexicans are enduring the first significant heat wave of 2025, with temperatures soaring above 45 °C in northern and central states such as Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Michoacán, and Guerrero, according to the National Meteorological Service (SMN). Researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) warn these extreme conditions reflect an accelerating warming trend, exacerbating drought and placing strain on power and water infrastructure. Last year’s historic heat waves, which led to dozens of heat-related deaths and widespread blackouts, underscore the urgent need for preparedness and public health measures.
Arrest in Ayotzinapa Disappearance Case
In Chilpancingo, Guerrero, authorities have arrested former magistrate Lambertina N, 79, on charges related to the forcible disappearance of 43 students from the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ College in 2014. Prosecutors allege Lambertina N abused her public office to obstruct investigations and conceal evidence in what has been called a “state crime” by national human rights officials. The arrest marks the first time a high-ranking judicial figure has been detained in connection with the decades-long unresolved case, which remains emblematic of impunity and demands for justice in Mexico.
U.S. Military Zones Along Border Spark Legal Confusion
U.S. Army-designated military zones in New Mexico and Texas have created legal ambiguities affecting migrants and border residents. Under an expanded immigration crackdown, military personnel can detain individuals for trespassing in unmarked areas covering nearly 110,000 acres. Defense attorneys report more than 300 cases stalled as detainees argue they were not informed of restricted boundaries, prompting calls from U.S. senators and Mexican consular officials for clear signage and due process guarantees for those crossing the border
