In Mexico, a scandal is erupting over the murder of geologist José Manuel Castañeda Hernández, whose remains were found in a clandestine grave in Concordia, Sinaloa. His family buried him in Taxco, Guerrero, and categorically rejects the official version that the workers were mistaken for criminals. According to the family, the tragedy is linked to extortion and inaction by the mining company. In an interview for Aristegui en Vivo, his brother and lawyer, Jaime Castañeda Hernández, confirmed his brother was buried and emphasized that the criminal group controlling the area knew the victims were engineers and geologists. «There is no way, no logic, that they could have been confused with any armed group, especially because they were taken from their camp where they were sleeping,» he stated. Jaime said the workers were removed from a residential camp rented exclusively by the company for its technical staff, reinforcing the perception that it was a deliberate and targeted act. The lawyer revealed that before the tragedy, in April 2025, the company had to suspend operations due to security issues, but insufficient precautions were taken to protect the staff. «Unfortunately, the company did nothing for them, and now here are the consequences,» he noted, adding that these conditions left the miners in a state of extreme vulnerability. Jaime recounted that his brother had warned some colleagues about the risks. «He would tell me: ‘It’s difficult, it’s complicated, but the company says everything is fine, that we can work.’ That indicates some kind of economic agreement with external groups, probably extortion.» In many mining areas of Sinaloa, paying extortion is a practice some companies accept to operate, exposing their staff to high risks. The official hypothesis from authorities, voiced by Mexico's Secretary of Public Security, Omar García Harfuch, suggesting the miners were mistaken for criminals, is categorically rejected by the family. «Whoever controls the zone knew perfectly well who they were and what they did,» Jaime insisted, arguing that this line of investigation does not reflect the complexity of the local context or the specialization of the workers. José Manuel Castañeda had a solid professional background as a mining engineer specializing in exploration and project development. He had worked in Sonora and Zacatecas before joining Vizsla Silver about a year ago. His brother described him as a highly qualified, dedicated, and discreet professional who was in charge of mine exploration and development, tasks requiring not only technical knowledge but also leadership over other workers and specialized teams. Jaime's last contact with his brother was on January 7th when he accompanied him from Cuernavaca to Mexico City. During the trip, José Manuel was calm and did not express direct threats, though he was aware of the complex situation at work. His wife, Ángeles Velasco Acevedo, maintained contact with him until January 22nd, with no signs of imminent danger detected. This combination of communications and subsequent disappearance reinforces the idea that the miners were taken by surprise in what should have been a safe environment, Jaime emphasized. He also stressed that if there was economic pressure from criminal groups, the company was obligated to report it and protect its employees. «Obviously, the company is responsible, even if it was under coercion; these people forced them, and the company had the obligation to report to the authorities. Unfortunately, they did not.» For this reason, the family insists that all lines of investigation must be exhausted, particularly the one related to extortion. «Every day, new information emerges that could strengthen this hypothesis and clarify the situation of the workers who have not yet been found,» Jaime said. The Public Prosecutor's Office has a duty to review everything that could have happened to clarify the situation and, above all, to find those who have not been found and determine responsibilities. The burial of José Manuel brought together family, friends, and colleagues who lamented the tragedy and demanded justice. His wife, Ángeles Velasco Acevedo, highlighted José Manuel's professionalism and the brutality of the attack that ended his life. Colleagues confirmed that José Manuel had alerted them to the risks and even advised some not to return to the mine, potentially saving lives. «My brother practically saved other colleagues by telling them to stay home.» The interviewee said that national and international companies often make these payments to continue operations, exposing their staff to extreme risks, which is why he rejects this case, stating it reflects the vulnerability of engineers, geologists, and technicians whose expertise does not protect them from direct threats to their lives. Jaime Castañeda believes the Secretariat of Security has an opportunity to regain public credibility by acting effectively in this and similar cases. «This case is one among many, but it has the potential to show that authorities can act effectively and protect people,» he affirmed, insisting on the need for transparency and rigor in the investigation. As the investigation continues, José Manuel's family and colleagues insist that the «mistaken identity» hypothesis cannot be the only one considered. The tragedy demonstrates the need for a thorough review of security conditions, corporate responsibility, and the dynamics of extortion in the region. For Jaime Castañeda, the priority is a thorough investigation and that the perpetrators face consequences. «You cannot confuse professionals with criminals; this case shows the vulnerability of those who only seek to work and support their families.» The mining community, the workers' relatives, and colleagues expect authorities to exhaust all lines of investigation and clarify the involvement of the different actors in the tragedy, while preparing demonstrations in various mining states to demand justice and transparency. The disappearance of more than a dozen highly specialized workers in contexts of violence reveals the urgency of effective protection mechanisms, the lawyer said. Finally, Castañeda Hernández stated that this case must highlight institutional responsibility, the pressure from criminal groups on workers and companies, and the need for a comprehensive investigation that clarifies all elements of this crime and ensures that similar situations do not happen again in the future.