In an alarming revelation published by Excelsior on March 20, 2025, it has been reported that a clandestine grave is discovered every day in Mexico, along with 117 identified extermination centers. This shocking statistic highlights the dark reality of organized crime’s grip on the country. According to the organization A dónde van los desaparecidos, since 2007, there have been over 5,696 clandestine graves documented across 570 municipalities, nearly one daily since the intensification of the war against organized crime.
Searchers from the La Laguna region in Coahuila claim to have identified 27 extermination zones within the last decade, revealing a disturbing pattern of violence and impunity. Meanwhile, five zones have been noted in Veracruz since 2016, showcasing the widespread impact of organized crime. In Tamaulipas alone, reports indicate 50 locations where shocking executions have occurred, with sites like La Bartolina, where over half a ton of bone remains were uncovered.
Authorities have also documented at least ten extermination camps in Nuevo León, while Guanajuato has seen three such camps identified from 2020 to the present. Furthermore, Michoacán is not immune, as searchers have unveiled camps in both Apatzingán and Zacapu.
A grim assessment reveals that in Mexicali, Baja California, authorities have discovered at least three clandestine crematories, and in Colima, 170 bodies were found just over a year ago. Chiapas reports 27 clandestine graves containing 34 unidentified corpses, indicating a broader, more sinister agenda. These statistics starkly illustrate the extent of organized crime's control over life and death in the region.
Shockingly, the organization Mexicanos contra la Corrupción y la Impunidad (MCCI) asserts that the National Guard was aware of criminal activities in the Rancho Izaguirre area as far back as August 2019, suggesting complicity or negligence on the part of authorities. Situated in Teuchitlán, Jalisco, the ranch has become a focal point for intense scrutiny as it has been linked to more horrific findings. Following the disclosure that a discovery of human remains, clothing, and potential crematories was made on March 8, 2025, public outcry has surged, pressing the government for answers.
President Claudia Sheinbaum now faces one of her administration's most significant tests as she navigates the complexities of a crisis that has plagued Mexico for decades—around 120,000 people currently missing, a staggering figure that serves as an emblem of the government's failure to contain the ongoing violence.
In response to demands for accountability, Sheinbaum announced plans to strengthen the Commission for Missing Persons, revealing that she would present reforms on March 24, 2025. These changes aim to create a unique national database, emphasizing the need for transparent data management in searching for the missing. Yet, amidst rising criticism, Sheinbaum insists that this situation is not her administration's “Achilles heel.”
The memories of the disappeared loom large and painful over Mexican society. Irma González’s heart-wrenching recognition of her son’s belongings amongst the horrors discovered at Rancho Izaguirre highlights the personal toll of this ongoing crisis. As she stood by the ranch’s entrance begging for answers, her anguish echoed the sentiments of countless families across Mexico who suffer the torment of not knowing the fate of missing loved ones.
The collective known as Guerreros Buscadores de Jalisco discovered chilling evidence of violence at the ranch, including crematories, burnt remains, personal items, and over 400 pairs of abandoned shoes. This ranch, alleged to be affiliated with the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación, may have served as a training camp as well as an extermination site—further complicating the official narrative that the government wishes to emphasize.
In a discussion filled with contrasts, Sheinbaum's government contends it was merely a training camp, while searchers and families argue it was a systematic extermination site where youths were lured, taken, and disappeared. This difference in narrative raises alarms among human rights advocates, who fear that the government's interpretation might limit the broader investigation and accountability.
International organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have urged Mexican authorities to act swiftly to clarify the situation and improve missing persons search systems, underscoring the urgent need for tangible solutions.
The emotional turmoil faced by families continues as they seek closure for their loved ones. Authorities allowed many relatives onto the Rancho Izaguirre site on March 20, granting families access to the horror left behind, but much of the evidence previously discovered has been removed by authorities, leaving many to wonder about the integrity of the investigation. González's desperation mirrors that of many other families in Jalisco, underscoring a societal anguish for answers in a nation reeling from its traumatic reality.
As the crisis deepens, it is clear that the government has a long road ahead in addressing the multifaceted issues surrounding violence and disappearances that have plagued Mexico for years. The ranch, once a location of hope for solace, has morphed into a haunting reminder of the nation's relentless battle against organized crime—a fight that shows no signs of abating.
