In Mexico, the alarming trend of disappearances has reached critical levels, prompting families to turn to social media in hopes of finding their loved ones. TikTok, a platform known for its viral dances and trends, has emerged as an unconventional yet powerful tool for raising awareness about missing persons. With over 80 million users in Mexico, TikTok has become a beacon of hope for those seeking answers in a landscape where official responses often fall short.
Since 1952, a staggering 116,687 individuals have been reported missing in Mexico, with a particularly distressing surge of 79,760 disappearances recorded between 2015 and 2024. This increase highlights the severity of the crisis, which many attribute to rising crime rates and systemic issues within the country. Families of the missing have begun to utilize TikTok to share images, stories, and last known locations of their loved ones, hoping that a viral post might lead to crucial information.
Videos shared on TikTok often feature emotional appeals, with users incorporating popular music and poignant questions like, "Have you seen her?" or "Do you recognize him?" The platform's visual nature allows for a personal connection, making it easier for viewers to empathize and engage with the stories being shared. One account, Ayúdame A Encontrarlxs, has adapted TikTok's features to create compelling search alerts and missing person flyers, leveraging the platform's reach to spread awareness.
However, despite the innovative use of social media, the situation remains dire. The lack of official support for these grassroots efforts is evident, as TikTok has yet to implement any formal system for missing persons alerts in Mexico, unlike its recent partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the United States, which allows AMBER alerts to be issued directly on the platform.
The United Nations has taken notice of the ongoing crisis, with the Committee against Forced Disappearance indicating that Mexico's situation will be addressed during the upcoming General Assembly. The committee has received credible reports suggesting that forced disappearances are occurring systematically across the country, raising serious concerns about human rights violations.
Adding to the urgency of the situation, a recent discovery in Teuchitlán, Jalisco, has drawn national attention. A local collective searching for missing persons uncovered skeletal remains, clothing, and personal items believed to be linked to individuals who have disappeared. Witnesses allege that the site, known as Rancho Izaguirre, was used as a forced recruitment center and possibly a training ground for criminal groups. The case is currently under investigation by the Federal Attorney General's Office, yet no updates have been shared regarding the number of victims or the future of the site.
In light of these developments, families of the missing continue to seek answers and justice. The use of TikTok represents just one of the many ways in which they are fighting back against a system that often leaves them feeling powerless. As they navigate the complexities of their loved ones' disappearances, these families are determined to keep their stories alive and ensure that they are not forgotten.
On April 6, 2025, the situation escalated further when family and friends of Areli Zitlali Arista Hernández, a 24-year-old woman who went missing on March 30, staged a demonstration on the México-Pachuca highway in Zempoala, Hidalgo. The protesters demanded that authorities expedite the search for Areli and investigate her disappearance thoroughly. They expressed frustration over the fact that her husband reported her missing four days after she was last seen, calling for a more proactive approach from law enforcement.
During the demonstration, state police confronted the protesters, forcibly dispersing them and using physical force to break up the gathering. The protesters lamented the police's heavy-handed tactics, insisting that they were not blocking traffic entirely and were open to dialogue with authorities. This clash underscores the ongoing tension between families seeking justice and the law enforcement agencies tasked with ensuring their safety.
The stories of the missing in Mexico are not just statistics; they represent the pain and suffering of families torn apart by violence and systemic failures. As social media continues to play a crucial role in amplifying these voices, it remains to be seen whether the authorities will respond with the urgency and seriousness that these families deserve. For now, the search for answers goes on, fueled by the hope that someone, somewhere, will recognize a face and provide the information needed to bring a loved one home.
