Mexico's top prosecutor acknowledged flaws in the investigation of a ranch in Jalisco that activists have described as a cartel-run "extermination camp" and pledged to uncover the truth. Earlier this month, activists searching for missing loved ones discovered ashes, thousands of bone fragments, clothing items, and possible underground ovens for cremating bodies at the ranch in Teuchitlán, located about 40 miles from Guadalajara.
The chilling find, referred to as the "ranch of horror" by some local media, has deeply shocked the nation, which has been grappling with a long-standing issue of disappearances. According to government data, over 124,000 people are missing in Mexico, primarily due to drug cartel violence, with most cases remaining unsolved, resulting in widespread mistrust of authorities among families searching for their missing relatives.
Attorney General Alejandro Gertz reported that Jalisco state authorities were aware of the ranch as early as September but failed to test human remains or properly identify the clothing and shoes discovered on-site. He noted that state authorities did not inform federal officials about their findings.
While mass grave discoveries are not rare in Mexico, the potential designation of the ranch as a systematic extermination camp has elicited profound horror. This scandal poses a challenge for President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has pledged to combat violence and lower homicide rates. The ongoing situation in Teuchitlán creates pressure on Sheinbaum, who took office last October, to differentiate herself from her predecessor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whose administration faced criticism for inadequately addressing disappearances and escalating security issues.
Gertz stated that his office would investigate the origins of the human remains found at the ranch and determine the causes of death, including exploring potential connections between the Jalisco state prosecutor's office and organized crime.
He emphasized the commitment to hold accountable any state prosecutors involved in irregularities and accepted that more evidence is needed to ascertain whether the site operated as an extermination center.
In response to the scandal, Sheinbaum announced plans to strengthen laws concerning missing persons and allocate additional resources for search efforts. She accused the opposition of exploiting the discovery for political gain, a sentiment reminiscent of López Obrador's previous criticisms of his adversaries.
Search groups and human rights experts have remarked that Sheinbaum's promised measures largely reflect existing laws and lack innovative approaches to address the crisis effectively. Chantal Flores, an author on disappearances in Mexico, criticized both the current and previous government for attempting to obscure the prevailing issues.
Flores stated that until the practice of enforced disappearances is eradicated, meaningful progress in reducing violence and homicides will remain elusive. At the Teuchitlán site, local officials shared images of numerous pairs of shoes, evoking a mix of despair and hope for the families of the disappeared.
Activists demanding access to the site have claimed that authorities are mishandling the investigation. Raul Servin, a member of a Jalisco-based search group, expressed distrust toward the authorities' ability to manage the situation.
Gertz mentioned plans to allow public and media access to the ranch site. The discovery has ignited a renewed wave of public outrage against cartels, which have long inflicted fear and violence across Mexico.
In a video shared on social media, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, believed to be linked to the ranch, attempted to distance itself from the site and accused the search groups of distorting facts to create a “horror movie” aimed at damaging the cartel's image.