The increase in violence caused by organized crime in Mexico is reflected in the high numbers of missing persons recorded in recent years. According to the National Registry of Missing and Unlocated Persons, in just two years, 23,910 people are reported as missing in the country. Activist searcher Ceci Flores warns that behind the clandestine graves and now crematories located in western states, there are recruits fallen in combat, sick individuals without medical attention, and youths who did not withstand "narco-training."
In a recent discovery of a clandestine crematory in Teuchitlán, Jalisco, at least 400 pairs of shoes, clothing, and farewell letters were found, which has generated outrage among the "mothers' searchers" groups. Cecilia Flores, a search mother, commented that this discovery is a reflection of the horror and crisis of disappearances in the country. She pointed out that in these crematories, organized crime incinerated deceased recruits in combat, sick individuals without attention, and youths who did not survive the indoctrination.
Regarding clandestine graves, the Citizen Platform of Graves counted two thousand 863 as of June 2024. Cecilia Flores indicated that in the majority of cases of disappearance, the authorities were involved, as hiding a body prevents the initiation of investigations into a crime.
Official figures from the National Registry of Missing and Unlocated Persons indicate that there are 123,601 missing or unlocated persons in Mexico. Cecilia Flores criticized these figures by mentioning that in Sonora, 10 people go missing every day, highlighting the magnitude of the problem.
The clandestine crematories, allegedly owned by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, incinerated individuals killed in confrontations, sick recruits, and youths who did not withstand the indoctrination. Ceci Flores emphasized that the youths were attracted through job offers online and then taken to these places.
President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed dismay at the discovery of the clandestine crematory in Teuchitlán, Jalisco, and indicated that it will be analyzed whether the Attorney General's Office could intervene in the case. Meanwhile, Mexico has registered 2,863 clandestine graves, with states like Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Chihuahua reporting a higher number of them.
In the midst of this crisis, Cecilia Flores called on the authorities to pay attention to the orphans of the disappeared, ensuring that it is essential to provide them with support to prevent them from seeking refuge in criminal activities. With these findings and shocking figures, the fight against the disappearance of persons in Mexico becomes even more urgent and complicated.
