Horrific Discovery at Cartel Camp in Jalisco Exposes Scale of Forced Disappearances in Mexico

The site, located on a ranch near Lagos de Moreno, underscores the devastating reality of forced disappearances and organized crime in Mexico.

A recent and deeply troubling discovery in the Mexican state of Jalisco has revealed burned human remains and hundreds of personal items, including clothing and shoes, at a clandestine training camp reportedly operated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The site, located on a ranch near Lagos de Moreno, underscores the devastating reality of forced disappearances and organized crime in Mexico.

The camp was discovered by collectives of families desperately searching for missing loved ones, highlighting the critical role these groups play in exposing criminal activities often overlooked by official investigations. According to initial findings, young people were lured with false job offers before being forcibly recruited into the cartel. Those who resisted recruitment or failed to comply with the cartel's brutal demands were reportedly killed, as evidenced by the charred remains and scattered bone fragments found at the scene.

This discovery is particularly alarming given that the site had been previously raided in September 2024 by Mexico’s National Guard and the Jalisco State Prosecutor's Office. Despite that earlier operation, critical evidence of these atrocities was overlooked or disregarded, raising serious questions about the effectiveness and diligence of official search procedures.

Mexican federal and state authorities have pledged to investigate the initial omissions and have committed to conducting thorough, impartial, and transparent investigations into the crimes perpetrated at this site. Families of victims have demanded meaningful involvement in the investigation and accountability processes, underscoring the urgent need for stronger protections and support from the Mexican government.

Given the broader issue of enforced disappearances across Mexico, human rights organizations and victim advocacy groups urge the government to bolster preventive measures, expedite victim identification processes, and ensure comprehensive support for affected families as they pursue justice and reparations for their loved ones.