Background on the Issue and Relevance of Jalisco
Jalisco, a western Mexican state, has been severely affected by the crisis of enforced disappearances, with over 127,000 victims nationwide. The state has experienced a surge in violence since December 2006, when the federal government initiated an anti-drug military operation. This issue has led to more than 15,900 missing persons in Jalisco alone, a figure attributed to the activities of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most violent and powerful criminal organizations.
In February 2022, the U.S. government designated the CJNG as a “foreign terrorist organization” due to its significant role in the trafficking of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid responsible for thousands of American deaths.
Recent Discovery and Ongoing Investigation
On Thursday, Mexican authorities reported the discovery of 48 bags containing human remains in a clandestine grave located in a suburb of Guadalajara, Jalisco’s capital. The find adds to numerous similar cases in the state, which has been hit hardest by the disappearance crisis.
The clandestine grave was located four weeks ago by a search collective in an abandoned lot in Zapopan, a sprawling peripheral municipality that is part of Guadalajara’s metropolitan area. Since then, authorities have been working on the recovery of remains with support from members of the Guerreros Buscadores collective.
Blanca Trujillo, Jalisco’s state vice-prosecutor for missing persons, stated in a press conference that forensic analysis is necessary to determine the number of victims corresponding to the bags found.
Collaborative Efforts and Challenges
Authorities are collaborating with the National Commission for the Search of Persons and employing heavy machinery due to the extensive terrain. The ongoing search aims to uncover more details about this case and provide closure for affected families.
Just last June, forensic experts discovered the remains of 34 individuals near a residential area in Zapopan. This recent find underscores the persistent issue of clandestine graves and enforced disappearances in Jalisco.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of this recent discovery? The discovery of 48 bags containing human remains in a clandestine grave in Jalisco adds to the long list of similar cases in this state, which has been severely impacted by enforced disappearances.
- Who is responsible for these disappearances? Experts attribute the high number of missing persons in Jalisco to the activities of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most violent and powerful criminal organizations.
- What is the role of the CJNG in the fentanyl crisis? The U.S. government designated the CJNG as a “foreign terrorist organization” in February 2022 due to its significant involvement in the trafficking of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid responsible for numerous American deaths.
- How are authorities addressing this issue? Authorities in Jalisco are collaborating with the National Commission for the Search of Persons and using heavy machinery to navigate the extensive terrain where clandestine graves have been found. Forensic analysis is crucial to determine the number of victims in each case.
