Adidas executives traveled on 21 August to Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, a Zapotec town of fewer than 2,000 people in Mexico’s Oaxaca state, to deliver a public apology for the company’s “Oaxaca Slip On” shoe. Local artisans and Mexico’s government said the design, created by Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarria, closely copied the town’s handmade huarache sandals without credit or benefit to the community. Karen Gonzalez, head of Legal and Compliance at Adidas Mexico, acknowledged that the model was inspired by Yalalag’s traditional footwear and told residents the firm would “avoid acting without your guidance and collaboration in the future.” The sportswear group has withdrawn the shoe from online sales channels and said it will explore formal partnerships with local craftsmen, whose huaraches sell for about US$20 a pair and are central to the town’s economy. The incident drew national attention earlier in August when President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the launch and signaled that her administration may pursue stronger legal safeguards against the unauthorized commercial use of Indigenous designs. Oaxaca’s culture ministry said Adidas’ visit marked a “historic” recognition of Indigenous intellectual property, but discussions on possible compensation and future production of the shoe are still pending.