Abducted Honduran mayor found murdered near soccer field
- Francisco Martínez Domínguez was taken from a motel by armed men and found shot dead near a soccer field.
- He was seeking reelection for the National Party amidst his controversial past, including previous arrests and accusations.
- The investigation points to 'personal revenge' rather than political motives behind the murder.
In Honduras, a troubling case of political violence unfolded when Francisco Martínez Domínguez, the 49-year-old mayor of San Isidro, was abducted and later found dead. This incident occurred on a Wednesday night in July 2025. According to police reports, armed men forcibly took Martínez from a motel where he was with a woman, dragging him out unclothed and subsequently shooting him nearby. This event is part of a series of political violence cases in Honduras, a country grappling with high levels of crime and impunity. Martínez was in the midst of a re-election campaign under the opposition National Party, aiming for a position in the upcoming elections set for November 30. His murder occurred under suspicious circumstances, with authorities highlighting the likelihood of 'personal revenge' as a possible motive due to Martínez's controversial past. He had previously faced legal issues, including an arrest in 2015 following allegations that he attempted to kill his daughter's boyfriend. Though he was acquitted in 2016, he was still under a restraining order that barred him from contacting the victim's family. The investigation into his death took a more complex route as the police reported that evidence suggested he had been under surveillance before the incident. His connection with the woman who was present at the motel and who is now being held for questioning adds another layer to the investigation. Multiple mobile devices were seized from the scene, which may provide critical information about the events leading up to the crime. Honduras is often considered one of the most violent countries in Latin America, primarily due to the rampant organized crime associated with drug trafficking and gang activities. Public officials, like Martínez, frequently become targets in this dangerous environment, especially in rural areas where political rivalries and crime often intersect. The local community and family members of Martínez expressed confusion and sorrow over the mayor's murder, highlighting that they were unaware of any threats against him.