Deny access to searching mothers at Izaguirre Ranch: 'They want to hide it'

During the  national mourning day held last Saturday, the testimonies of searching mothers were heard. The mothers of the disappeared demand  transparency in the investigations around the Izaguirre ranch, in Teuchitlán, Jalisco.

Since the discovery, made after an anonymous call, the ranch has captured the attention of various sectors of society.

Especially alert are the  searchers of the disappeared, who during the vigil expressed their pain and frustration over the  lack of access to the investigations.

Searchers go from other states to Izaguirre ranch

María Luz Ruiz, a mother from Tecomán, Colima, traveled to the Izaguirre ranch in search of her son Elías Sánchez Ruiz. Her son has been missing since January 14, 2013, when he was 32 years old.

However, both María Luz and other collectives and searchers have been denied access to the ranch since next weekend.

The Jalisco Person Search Commission  explained the reason for the restriction on the activities of the collectives.

The investigation file was taken over by the General Prosecutor's Office (FGR). Due to this, only personnel from the institutions involved in the evidence processing will be allowed to enter the site.

Dolores Guadalupe Padilla, originally from Morelia, Michoacán, has been searching for her brother José Elías since 2013. Dolores spoke during the vigil to ask the authorities to allow access to the searchers.

"This ranch has been here for many years and there are people here since 2010, and my brother disappeared in 2013. At least for those who disappeared in Jalisco, do tests on them. We don't want to know why or who, just that they return them to us"

she expressed with anguish.

Searchers speak out for Izaguirre ranch

The Guerreros Buscadores and other collectives have denounced that their rights as victims are being violated. This after their exclusion from the work at the Izaguirre ranch. During the gathering at the Plaza de Armas in Morelia, a mother expressed:

"It is clear that the place had been previously reported, and the authorities were negligent. We are tired of well-crafted political speeches but empty of social action".

Collectives excluded from the investigation

The search collectives have been excluded from the investigation at the Izaguirre ranch since the General Prosecutor's Office (FGR) took control of the case.

It should be noted that the Guerreros Buscadores were the ones who discovered the place and alerted the authorities. However, they are now prevented from entering to observe the processing of the evidence.

Security filters were placed to have controlled access. However, the collectives denounced that, after the first filter, they were no longer allowed access.

This action caused discontent among the members, who have requested the  intervention of the CNDH.

Additionally, the members stated that  they will take legal action if necessary. However, they await the official statement from Indira Navarro to organize themselves in response to the changes in the case.

"We as searchers, what follow-up are we going to have, until we wait for instructions from our leader, Indira Navarro"

she declared regarding the situation with the authorities' search work.

The day before, a group from the organization attempted to enter the site, but they only managed to pass the first security filter. Upon reaching the ranch gate, they were denied access and had to leave the place.

The collectives have insisted on the need for transparency and participation in the investigations. Especially in cases where they have been key to the discovery of graves or remains.