On the night of March 17, 2025, alleged members of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) released a video denying accusations made by the group Las Madres Buscadoras about the Rancho Izaguirre, locating it as the site of clandestine activities, including alleged forced recruitment and human extermination. The video quickly gained traction on social media platforms, primarily on X, igniting conversations surrounding the cartel's involvement in such heinous crimes.
According to the video, the CJNG member, who remained hooded and accompanied by several masked associates, asserted, "Las Madres Buscadoras... contradicen en un 100 por ciento los indicios encontrados en seis meses anteriores por elementos federales." This statement reflects their firm stance rejecting the veracity of recent findings purportedly linking the sprawling ranch with organized crime activities.
At the heart of this debate lies the discovery made by search collectives on March 8, 2025, led by Las Madres Buscadoras, who claimed to have found evidence of extensive human rights abuses, noting the presence of burned remains, over 200 pairs of shoes, clothing, and personal items within the confines of Rancho Izaguirre. These claims stand juxtaposed against the CJNG's assertions of the ranch being secured by federal authorities since September 18, 2024, following the illegal kidnapping of two individuals.
"¿Con qué autoridad intervinieron o con qué fundamento (legal) ingresaron a un inmueble asegurado el grupo de madres buscadoras?" the CJNG representative questioned, implying these mothers acted outside any legal boundaries when probing the already secured site. He also cast doubts on the motivations of the searchers, adding, "¿Quién las respalda? ¿Por qué intentan culpar al CJNG con historias inventadas sin fundamento?" This rhetoric indicates not only the cartel's denial of wrongdoing but also attempts to delegitimize the search group’s efforts.
The discussions surrounding the Rancho Izaguirre extend beyond mere accusations and challenge the narratives held by both the public and authorities concerning local crime levels. The video presentation reflected on the relative peace experienced within the Jalisco region, where the spokesperson claimed, "Jalisco está tranquilo", noting no occurrences of kidnapping or homicides reported within rural communities. This assertion clashes with the present statistics; Jalisco houses the highest number of missing persons nationwide, accounting for approximately 14,963 out of the total 124,059 missing cases across Mexico.
Historically, the disappearance rates and violence have led to growing unrest among families yearning for resolution. Activist groups allege these disappearances link back to organized crime’s operations. Recent investigations have shown troubling patterns of enforced disappearances, often tricked by false employment promises, leading to forced recruitment.
Despite the serious nature of their claims, the CJNG deflected attention from allegations by labeling the collective’s findings as exaggerated, accusing them of fabrications crafted to invoke public outrage, creating what they termed as "una película de terror" surrounding the ranch's reputation. This strategy might be seen as both defensive and offensive, attempting to protect the cartel’s image and influence by undermining the work of search groups.
Further complicate matters, experts from security and narcotics journalism expressed skepticism about the CJNG's recent video claims, with prominent journalists observing it as possibly threatening to those engaged within these searching operations. Oscar Balderas remarked on social media, "Intento de deslinde, amenaza para las madres buscadoras y confirmación de la pax narca en Jalisco. Todas las lecturas caben sobre este extrañísimo video del CJNG sobre Teuchitlán,” shedding light on the dangers faced by those striving for justice.
The background of Rancho Izaguirre includes substantial federal scrutiny; its operations were confirmed as adversarial. Earlier searches revealed insufficient evidence to support claims made about its involvement with criminal activity. The Jalisco Prosecutor's Office acknowledged initial investigations were "insufficient" and revisited several months later on the heels of the collective’s recent findings.
While the media intensively covered the video and its contents, the lack of coordinated responses from authorities may amplify tensions between the community and the CJNG. Community protests erupted across Mexico, as families of the missing took to the streets, echoing their pain and longing for answers to the increasing number of unresolved human rights violations.
The community's response also highlights the disturbing reality faced by many Mexican families grappling with unresolved disappearances amid organized crime's extensive influence. This case adds another layer to the complicated dialogue around crime, safety, and justice within the region. With unresolved investigations and conflicting narratives, the story surrounding Rancho Izaguirre remains far from resolved.
