Mexico's Sheinbaum Rejects U.S. 'Invasion' Amid Cartel Terrorism Designation

Authorities in Mexico are grappling with a grim discovery at the Izaguirre Ranch in Jalisco, where alleged human crematory ovens and personal belongings of missing persons were found. Activists from the Buscadores Guerreros de Jalisco Collective uncovered the site, discovering over 200 pairs of shoes, clothing, and other items presumably belonging to victims of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) who reportedly used the ranch for forced recruitment, torture, and disposal of bodies, according to Luz Toscano, a collective member. Local police had previously raided the ranch last September, making arrests but failing to uncover the extent of violence present. Critics accuse officials of complicity with the cartel, a sentiment echoed by victims' families demanding accountability. State Governor Pablo Lemus stated that authorities are collaborating with federal bodies in the investigation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has ordered federal oversight of the case amid rising public distrust towards local law enforcement. Families of missing persons, like Rosario Magaña, continue to seek answers in a climate filled with uncertainty and frustration regarding state actions.

In the popular tourist destinations of Huatulco, Zipolite, and Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, 16 individuals have gone missing over the past two months, alarming both local residents and visitors. Among the cases, the body of nine men was discovered in a car 400 kilometers away from where they disappeared, raising concerns about police involvement, as some victims were allegedly taken by municipal officers, according to families and local reports. The ongoing spate of kidnappings has shattered the region's reputation as a peaceful haven, attracting nearly two million tourists annually. Locals report a troubling climate of violence related to drug trafficking, and experts suggest that the coastline has become a convergence point for organized crime, typically marked by a "zone of tolerance" that discourages overt criminal activities that might deter tourism. Officials, including Oaxaca's Secretary of Government Jesús Romero, maintain that Huatulco remains a safe destination. However, the rising number of disappearances has left the community reeling, questioning the effectiveness of law enforcement and the safety of tourists and residents alike.

Nine students from Tlaxcala, Mexico, who were reported missing while vacationing in Oaxaca, have been found dismembered in a gruesome discovery made on Sunday. According to the New York Post, the group went missing on February 27 while traveling to celebrate their graduation. Authorities located the remains in a truck of an abandoned vehicle in San Jose Miahuatlan, situated on the border between the states of Puebla and Oaxaca. The victims, aged 19 to 30, included four women and five men, and all were identified as having bullet wounds and signs of torture. Notably, authorities found a bag containing eight pairs of severed hands along with additional remains. Puebla's State Attorney General's Office is collaborating with officials from Tlaxcala and Oaxaca to investigate the homicides; however, no suspects have been named as of yet. Idamis Pastor Betancourt, head of the Attorney General's Office in Puebla, stated, “There are lines of investigation, but I cannot reveal them due to confidentiality." As violence continues to escalate in Mexico, with over 30,000 murders reported in 2023, authorities aim to bring the responsible parties to justice.