Cartel training grounds discovered in Jalisco, Mexico: Top law enforcement official confirms ranch's use as cartel training site, denies claims it was a crematorium.
Loose Cannon: The Controversial 'Death Ranch' in Mexico
All hell broke loose last March when a "death ranch" was discovered in Jalisco state, stirring comparisons to the horrific past of Auschwitz. Human remains, charred bones, and abandoned belongings were found on the site, igniting public outrage and sparking demands for justice. However, recent revelations by Mexican Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero have left more questions than answers.
Mexico City's latest scandal - the notorious 'Murder Ranch' - has been a thorny issue for the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, with calls for transparency about the bones and charred remains discovered on the premises. Now, Gertz has provided some insights into the federal investigation, but his findings have left critics questioning the credibility of the government's probe.
World & Nation
The Great Deception: Families confront Mexican investigation over loss of loved ones
Gertz confirmed that the site, roughly 37 miles from Guadalajara, was indeed a training and operational hub for the dreaded Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Yet, his apparent U-turn has left many seeking answers. He declared that there was "not one iota of proof" to back the assumption that corpses were incinerated on the premises. The origin of the charred bones remained unknown, with ongoing forensic analysis shed little light on the matter.
Families of the missing and desperate searchers have voiced their dismay, seeing the attorney general's report as an insult. "I feel an enormous sense of indignation towards the attorney general and President Sheinbaum for the insult they have dealt us and the families who trusted in a genuine investigation," said Raul Servin, a member of the Warrior Searchers of Jalisco, who first discovered the scene in March.
World & Nation
Mexico's Disappeared: The Dirty Little Secret Behind the Cartel Recruiting Industry
With more than 120,000 people unaccounted for in Mexico, the case of the ranch serves as a chilling reminder of the country's organized crime epidemic. Previously, authorities had hinted that many of the disappeared were either lured or coerced into joining the ranks of the cartel through fraudulent online job ads offering well-paid positions in security and other roles. Critics argue that the cartel thrives as one of Mexico's largest employers[1].
Since the ranch's contents were revealed, authorities have made strides in shutting down criminal recruitment sites. In March, officials announced the arrest of the camp's ringleader, codenamed "El Lastra," and other key players in the Jalisco cartel’s recruiting operation[2].
Yet, amid the ongoing investigation, the fate of the many individuals who passed through the camp remains a mystery.
Special correspondent Cecilia Sanchez Vidal contributed to this report
Related Readings:- Mexico's Dance With Death: A bitter feud among cartel families leads to a grim new tactic- Breaking the Silence: Mexico's new president should tackle the country's festering human rights catastrophe- Mexico's Deadly Truth: A new documentary exposes the cost of journalism
[1] https://apnews.com/article/4c1e3493059a4b0ca668657d6fcedfe0[2] https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/mexico-source/local-police-detained-for-death-ranch[3] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/26/no-evidence-of-mass-burnings-at-mexicos-death-ranch-should-be-an-embarrassment-for-the-government[4] https://www.cfr.org/blog/mexico-faced-crisis-disappearances-now-its-prosecutions-must-follow
- The discovery of the "death ranch" in Jalisco state, reminiscent of Auschwitz, sparked public outrage and demands for justice in California and beyond.
- Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero's findings have left critics questioning the credibility of the government's investigation into the "Murder Ranch."
- Families of the missing, including Raul Servin from the Warrior Searchers of Jalisco, feel deeply insulted by what they see as a lack of commitment to a genuine investigation by the attorney general and President Sheinbaum.
- With over 120,000 people missing in Mexico, the "death ranch" case serves as a chilling reminder of the country's organized crime epidemic.
- Critics argue that the Jalisco cartel thrives as one of Mexico's largest employers, recruiting new members through fraudulent online job ads.
- Since the contents of the ranch were revealed, authorities have made strides in shutting down criminal recruitment sites, but the fate of many individuals who passed through remains a mystery.
- Amid the ongoing investigation, experts in general-news and crime-and-justice express ongoing concerns about the lack of transparency from the Mexican government and call for further examination of the issue by journalists.
