More than a dozen people were killed in the Sierra of Oaxaca in southern Mexico on Tuesday, July 17, over a reported decades-long land dispute with a neighboring community, local media reported.

13 people in the town of Santa Maria Ecatepec were killed by residents from the San Lucas Xicotepec community. Media reported residents from San Maria Ecatepec had traveled to the disputed land when they were reportedly ambushed.

State police from Oaxaca have taken over responsibility for this restive region to restore law and order. According to local media, San Maria Ecatepec has a number of outstanding disputes with local communities over forest areas in the region.