Breathe
By Sofía Pérez Gasque Muslera
The recent discovery of an extermination camp in Teuchitlán has shaken Mexico and the world. What looked like an ordinary ranch hid a site of horror: clandestine crematoria, hundreds of bone fragments and victims' belongings, in what is presumed to be a confinement and extermination center operated by the Jalisco Cartel - New Generation (CJNG).
This discovery not only highlights the crisis of violence and disappearances in the country, but also exposes the lack of effective response from the authorities. However, in the midst of the indignation and pain, Mexican women have once again taken on the role of protagonists in the demand for justice.
The discovery in Teuchitlán was possible thanks to the tireless work of collectives such as Guerreros Buscadores de Jalisco, made up mostly of mothers who have dedicated their lives to finding their loved ones. "We are not looking for culprits, we are looking for our children", is the slogan that resonates among them.
For years, the searching mothers have filled the void left by institutions, scouring the country with shovels and sticks to find clandestine graves. In Teuchitlán, their bravery led them to discover three improvised crematoriums and hundreds of human remains, a sign of the level of violence Mexico is facing.
The Izaguirre ranch, where the crematoria were found, had already been intervened in 2024 by the National Guard, but the inspection was superficial and neither the ovens nor the human remains were discovered. Now, the Jalisco Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation to determine if there were omissions in that operation.
For many women in Mexico, the crisis of disappearances is an open wound. According to official figures, more than 100,000 people have disappeared in the country in the last two decades. In this context, the families of the victims face not only uncertainty, but also re-victimization and lack of support from the state.
Subscribe to read the full column...
