Masked and heavily armed men have made headlines once again, this time through a chilling video that emerged late Monday night, unsettling those engaged in the desperate search for missing relatives in Jalisco, Mexico. The Jalisco New Generation cartel, identified by a man accompanied by a formation of others, released a statement questioning the motivations of the families of disappeared persons who recently uncovered garments, shoes, and charred bones at a suspected cartel training camp near Guadalajara.
- Masked men denounce searchers for missing relatives.
- Jalisco New Generation cartel seeks to improve image.
- Over 120,000 people are missing in Mexico.
- Private citizens discover evidence at ranch site.
- Authorities criticized for insufficient investigation efforts.
- Cartels often release videos for PR purposes.
The unsettling scene unfolded in the western state of Jalisco, where families dedicated to finding their lost loved ones acted on a tip-off earlier this month. They visited a ranch in Teuchitlan—approximately 37 miles from Guadalajara—that had already been partially investigated by National Guard troops last September, who had found a body and arrested several suspects. Yet, what was initially a quiet investigation erupted into a powerful family-led initiative that exposed dozens of pieces of clothing and what appeared to be burned human remains.
Angélica, a member of the Jalisco Search Warriors—one of many grassroots groups formed by families seeking their missing relatives—described the anguish of being targeted by the very cartel they oppose. “It’s incredibly delicate, it’s an outrage that they try to stain our name,” she stated, emphasizing the stark reality faced by families in search of justice in a region plagued by violence. “They’re washing their hands of something they created… No one protects us.” Her words echoed the sentiments of many who fear for their safety while navigating an environment dominated by organized crime.
The video release serves a dual purpose: it acts as a denial of responsibility for the alarming discoveries made by searchers and simultaneously attempts to rehabilitate the cartel’s public image amid mounting scrutiny. Security analyst David Saucedo pointed out that this type of media strategy has been common among criminal organizations in Mexico, often aimed at portraying themselves as protectors rather than perpetrators. “Its intention was to clean the cartel’s image and push back against the negative publicity generated by a week of exhaustive coverage of the site,” he explained.
The Jalisco cartel’s image was further complicated when U.S. authorities designated it as one of eight foreign terrorist organizations just last month, highlighting the international ramifications of its actions. With more than 120,000 individuals reported missing across Mexico, the ongoing saga of disappearances has exacerbated national outrage and led many families to take matters into their own hands, often at great personal risk.
The latest discoveries at the ranch followed months of unsettling silence from authorities, who are now under increased public scrutiny. The Jalisco State Prosecutor, Salvador González de los Santos, visited the ranch personally last week but offered scant details regarding the failures of earlier investigations. He acknowledged that previous efforts had proven “insufficient,” raising questions about the adequacy of law enforcement responses to such critical issues.
Despite the multifaceted challenges, Angélica and her fellow searchers remain steadfast in their mission. They are determined to uncover the truth behind the disturbing evidence they uncovered—a task fraught with danger but driven by a singular desire to find their missing children. “We go out with this fear day after day… because the only thing we want to find out is where our children are,” she lamented.
As the investigation continues, attention now turns to whether authorities will enhance their efforts to assist the families in their searches and if further evidence will come to light. The grim reality of mass graves discovered throughout Mexico in recent months—and the relentless work of search collectives—paints a sobering picture of a society grappling with its past and striving for justice amid turmoil. For the families of the missing, the fight is far from over, and each new discovery illuminates pathways filled with uncertainty, grief, and the unwavering hope for closure.
