Overview
- The Oaxaca government publicly handed over 75 rifles to the state police during an event at Parque Primavera in the capital.
- The firearms are IWI ARAD semiautomatic rifles chambered in 5.56mm with 14.5-inch barrels.
- Sesesp chief Karina Barón Ortiz said the new rifles replace non-operational weapons more than 40 years old to reduce risks to officers and civilians.
- Barón attributed acquisition authority to Mexico’s Defense Ministry (Sedena), noting the renewal was requested by the federal SSPC and carried out through a bidding process.
- The Israeli origin drew ethical and political questioning given the Gaza war; Barón declined to issue a condemnation, and reporters noted IWI supplies the IDF and previously held Sedena contracts in 2022–2023.