Concluded victim count at Izaguirre Ranch

The recent discovery of the Izaguirre ranch in Teuchitlán, Jalisco, has shaken Mexico by exposing an extermination camp used by organized crime.

This discovery has highlighted the magnitude of the violence and the crisis of disappearances facing the country.

Discovery of the Izaguirre Ranch

In early March 2025, groups searching for missing persons located the Izaguirre ranch, known as the "Mexican Auschwitz."

At this site, human bone remains, clothing, and personal belongings were found, evidencing its use as an extermination and training center by criminal groups.

Estimates of Victims

The accumulation of approximately  400 pairs of shoes  and numerous garments led the searchers to estimate that more than 200 people could have been incinerated at the site.

Additionally, 96 bullet casings, firearm magazines, and handcuffs were found. This reinforces the brutality of the activities carried out at the ranch.

Reaction of the Authorities and Society

The lack of adequate action by the authorities has caused anger and despair among the groups of relatives of missing persons, who criticize the inefficiency of the Jalisco Prosecutor's Office.

Although the case is now in the hands of the Attorney General, doubts persist about the number of victims and the true situation at the ranch.

In response, groups of relatives of the disappeared organized vigils in at least 24 states of the country, demanding justice and concrete actions by the government.

In Mexico City, 400 candles, shoes, caps, and backpacks were placed in front of the National Palace as a symbol of protest and memory of the victims.

National Context: Other Extermination Camps

The Teuchitlán case is not an isolated incident. In 2021, the National Search Commission revealed the existence of at least nine extermination sites, whose size was considerable, in states like  Coahuila, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, and Nuevo León

These places were used by cartels for the forced disappearance and elimination of bodies, evidencing a systematic practice of extreme violence in the country.

Implications and Call to Action

The discovery of the Izaguirre ranch underscores the urgency of addressing the crisis of disappearances in Mexico. The inaction and  possible complicity of the authorities have perpetuated a climate of impunity that affects thousands of families.

It is imperative that the government implements effective policies for the search, investigation, and justice for the victims and their families.

Additionally, it is crucial to strengthen protection mechanisms for human rights defenders and the  search groups, who, in the absence of the State, have taken on the task of locating their loved ones.

Civil society and the international community must maintain pressure on the Mexican authorities to ensure that these crimes do not go unpunished and that concrete measures are taken to prevent future atrocities.

The horror of Teuchitlán is a painful reminder of the violence that plagues Mexico and the urgent need for justice and truth for the victims of forced disappearance.