Background and Relevance of the Search
In Mexico City, activists, firefighters, authorities, and forensic experts collaborated in a search for human remains in a vast forested area known as the Ajusco. This volcanic hill in the southern part of the capital is suspected to be the burial site for over a hundred missing individuals, according to various denunciations.
The search was announced through different media outlets and will continue until October 31st. The Ajusco has been the subject of multiple reports alleging its use as a location to conceal bodies, despite no significant discoveries similar to the clandestine graves found in other states.
The Scale of Missing Persons in Mexico
Mexico faces a severe issue with missing persons, estimated to be over 127,000. The majority of these disappearances occurred amidst the escalating violence following the Mexican government’s anti-drug military operation initiated in 2006.
Personal Stories of Those Seeking Missing Loved Ones
Araceli Olmedo Cruz, a 40-year-old activist, is searching for her son Benjamin, last seen in a nearby neighborhood in April 2024. Arnulfo Garcia, on the other hand, has been looking for his mother Plácida, who he hasn’t heard from in a year but hopes is still alive.
Both individuals joined the Ajusco search efforts to collaborate and seek assistance from authorities in locating their loved ones.
Search Details and Participants
The search involved 430 participants divided into sectors, guided by personnel familiar with the area. Armed elements from the capital’s fiscal department were also present to ensure safety.
Volunteers, including mothers, used tools like shovels and rakes to sift through the soil, while others cleared vegetation with machetes and heavy machinery.
UN Committee’s Warning on Forced Disappearances
On October 21st, the UN Committee against Forced Disappearances issued a warning regarding systematic forced disappearances in Mexico.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Ajusco? The Ajusco is a volcanic hill located in the southern part of Mexico City, which has been suspected of being used as a burial site for missing persons.
- How many people are estimated to be missing in Mexico? There are over 127,000 reported cases of missing persons in Mexico, with the majority of these disappearances occurring since 2006.
- Who participated in the Ajusco search? Activists, firefighters, authorities, and forensic experts collaborated in the search efforts.
- How many people took part in the search? Approximately 430 individuals participated in the Ajusco search.
- What recent warning was issued by the UN Committee? The UN Committee against Forced Disappearances warned of systematic forced disappearances in Mexico on October 21st.
