Ten men receive prison sentences totaling 141 years for their part in the Rancho Izaguirre case, a Mexican court ruling.
Rancho Izaguirre: A Chilling Symbol of Mexico's Cartel Violence
In the heart of Jalisco, Mexico, a ranch has become a symbol of the country's ongoing struggle with cartel violence and impunity. Known as Rancho Izaguirre, this site was initially discovered in September 2024 during a National Guard operation.
The ranch, now infamously dubbed the "ranch of horror," was revealed to be a cartel training and captivity site linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). It operated since at least 2018, with human remains, discarded clothing, and evidence of forced captivity and executions found on the premises.
The initial investigation into Rancho Izaguirre gained momentum in March 2025, when families searching for missing relatives found more human remains and personal items, suggesting the initial investigation was incomplete.
The National Guard operation in September 2024 resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects and the rescue of two captives. One of these captives authored a love letter found at the site. At least 37 people have been arrested in connection with the broader operations linked to cartel recruitment and activities in the surrounding areas. This includes ex-police officers implicated in kidnappings connected to the ranch.
Several accused individuals have challenged their detention, alleging torture and illegal arrest procedures. Some have even filed motions to overturn rulings that keep them imprisoned.
Survivors and former recruits have come forward, describing harsh training regimens, physical abuse, deprivation, and executions at the ranch. One woman, known as Nectar, recounted her recruitment through TikTok, separation by gender, physical checks to exclude undercover agents, and extreme punishments for mistakes or breaches of cartel rules. Displays of affection were forbidden and punished by death, indicating the brutal and strict conditions at the ranch.
The investigation into Rancho Izaguirre continues, with scrutiny over previous omissions by state authorities. Federal authorities took over the investigation due to concerns about insufficient early efforts. The Attorney General, Alejandro Gertz Manero, has promised transparency and no cover-ups, with investigations ongoing into possible official oversights or complicity.
Forensic teams continue to search the ranch for more victims or evidence, stemming from anonymous tips that have sustained the investigation's momentum. Legal proceedings remain active, with some accused individuals awaiting decisions on motions to annul evidence or dismiss detention orders.
The Rancho Izaguirre case is a complex and ongoing criminal investigation, with multiple arrests and legal battles underway to hold the perpetrators accountable. The convicted individuals were found guilty of aggravated disappearance, homicide, and illegal detention of three victims. Each defendant was ordered to pay 1.3 million pesos (approximately USD 65,000) in restitution to the victims' families.
The case has also raised allegations that local authorities ignored warnings from the Jalisco Human Rights Commission about cartel activity at the ranch for years. The arrest of the suspects followed a raid by the National Guard, prompted by reports of gunfire at the property.
As the investigation continues, Rancho Izaguirre stands as a chilling symbol of Mexico's struggle with cartel violence and impunity. Five additional suspects, including three municipal police officers, a CJNG recruiter, and Teuchitlan's mayor, Jose Murguia Santiago, remain under investigation.
- The restitution for the victims' families in the Rancho Izaguirre case was set at 1.3 million pesos for each defendant, approximately equal to USD 65,000.
- The investigation into the Rancho Izaguirre case, a symbol of Mexico's ongoing struggle with cartel violence, has led to multiple arrests in connection with crime and justice, as well as policy and legislation, particularly focusing on war-and-conflicts and general news.
- The case of Rancho Izaguirre has brought to light allegations of complicity and oversights in local authorities, who are accused of ignoring warnings from the Jalisco Human Rights Commission about cartel activities at the ranch for years.
