On Monday afternoon, Rigoberto Martínez Sandoval, 34 years old, was shot and killed while finishing his workday at the "President Lázaro Cárdenas" Experimental Normal School. The coach, known for his work in basketball and the defense of indigenous people's rights, was intercepted by a group of armed men as he tried to flee inside the school.
Rigoberto Martínez, originally from Santa Cruz Río Venado, dedicated a decade of his life to providing a positive option for the children of his region through his passion for basketball. A few months ago, he founded the Rigo’s Oaxaca basketball academy, a project that aimed beyond sports development, seeking to instill values like teamwork, discipline, and healthy coexistence.
As part of the Unified Movement and Triqui Struggle (MULT), Martínez worked tirelessly to improve the living conditions of indigenous peoples. His focus on education and sports was based on breaking the cycles of violence and poverty that afflict his community. His vision was to create a selection of young people to represent their community in high-level competitions, thereby offering them a new opportunity.
Martínez's death has triggered condemnations and calls for justice in Putla de Guerrero, as well as among MULT members. The news of his murder has shocked the region, where three members of this organization have already lost their lives this year. The Attorney General's Office of Oaxaca has initiated an investigation to clarify the facts and apprehend those responsible.
The loss of Rigoberto Martínez represents a blow to the Triqui community and to sports in Oaxaca. His legacy as a coach and defender of indigenous rights leaves a void in a region that struggles against violence.
