On March 26, 2025, the Mexican government unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at tackling the ongoing crisis of disappearances in the country, a pressing issue that has seen a significant rise in recent years. The measures were announced during a press conference led by Ernestina Godoy, the legal advisor to the presidency, who detailed the government's commitment to enhancing identification processes and improving the efficiency of investigations into missing persons.
Central to this initiative is the implementation of the Clave Única de Registro de Población (CURP), which will now include both a photograph and fingerprints. This move is part of a broader strategy to create a Plataforma Única de Identidad, which aims to serve as a comprehensive identity verification system for all individuals in Mexico, including foreigners residing legally in the country.
Godoy emphasized that the CURP will become the single source of identity for individuals, stating, "All people in Mexico, from their birth, will have this identity [the CURP]. Every authority or private entity will be obligated to recognize the CURP as an official identification, whether physical or digital." This new identification standard is expected to streamline administrative processes and enhance the ability of authorities to respond quickly to cases of disappearance.
In addition to the CURP, the government announced that the Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE) will be required to allow access to its data during investigations. This is a significant step towards facilitating cooperation between various governmental bodies in the search for missing persons.
Moreover, Godoy reported that all administrative procedures conducted by individuals will need to include the CURP identification at all levels of government. This will ensure that all relevant records are linked to the Plataforma Única de Identidad, which is designed to generate alerts and enable real-time searches and localization of missing persons.
One of the most notable changes introduced by the government is the elimination of the previous requirement to wait 72 hours before opening an investigation into a disappearance. Now, authorities will have immediate access to pertinent information regarding such cases, allowing for a more proactive approach in addressing disappearances.
As part of this initiative, the government will also publish monthly updates on the number of investigation folders related to disappearances through the public security system. Godoy indicated that the national database of investigation folders will be fully integrated within 180 days of the reform's enactment.
Furthermore, the Banco Nacional de Datos Forenses, overseen by the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR), will be required to connect in real-time with the Plataforma Única de Identidad. This database will include crucial information such as data from the Alerta Amber, the Registro Nacional de Personas Fallecidas no Identificadas y no Reclamadas, and other essential records related to missing persons and unidentified bodies.
While these government initiatives are a step forward, they come against a backdrop of alarming statistics and ongoing challenges. In a related report released the same day by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), it was revealed that as of March 2025, the Registro Nacional de Personas Desaparecidas y No Localizadas (RNPDNL) had documented 28,729 women reported as disappeared or not located. This figure represents approximately 23% of the total 124,987 disappearances registered across Mexico.
The FIDH's Policy Brief, produced in collaboration with Idheas Litigio Estratégico en Derechos Humanos A.C. and the Equipo Mexicano de Antropología Forense A.C. (EMAF), highlights several critical issues that hinder effective governmental responses to the crisis of disappearances. Among these issues are the normalization of violence against women and girls, a lack of timely responses from authorities, and the complicity of some officials with organized crime.
The report points out that many cases are treated with negligence, often dismissed as mere familial disputes or romantic entanglements. This attitude contributes to a culture of impunity, where criminal networks operate with little fear of repercussions.
Other structural failures identified include the absence of a coordinated approach among state institutions, overlapping legal frameworks that complicate the prosecution of offenders, and inadequate handling of forensic evidence, which undermines investigations and hinders the dignified return of remains to families.
In light of these findings, the FIDH has called on Mexican authorities to implement immediate and concrete measures to address not only the issue of disappearances but also the broader context of sexual and gender-based violence in the country. The organization urges the international community, including United Nations bodies, to hold Mexico accountable for its commitments to human rights.
As the Mexican government takes steps to reform identification and investigative processes, the effectiveness of these measures in curbing the crisis of disappearances remains to be seen. The intertwined issues of organized crime, systemic impunity, and inadequate state response present formidable challenges that will require sustained effort and commitment from all levels of government and society.
In conclusion, while the recent announcements from the Mexican government mark a significant shift in policy towards addressing disappearances, the road ahead is fraught with challenges that necessitate comprehensive and coordinated action to ensure the safety and rights of all citizens.
