Shocking Discovery: Secret Crematoriums Found at Mexican Ranch Raise Alarm Over Possible Cover-Up | CNN

Advocates in Mexico are demanding an urgent independent investigation following the discovery of what they call an “extermination camp” in Jalisco. This camp is reportedly linked to local cartels involved in the disappearances of many people.

A group called the Warrior Searchers of Jalisco found the site last week at a ranch, which was supposedly a criminal operation hub. Here, they believe victims were taken for forced recruitment and training.

The group uncovered at least three crematoriums. Many skeletal remains were found buried beneath the ground and a brick slab. They also came across numerous personal belongings, including clothing, shoes, backpacks, and identification documents.

Indira Navarro, representing the Warrior Searchers, stated that while the existence of such camps was rumored, this was the first time they had encountered one. They entered the ranch on March 5 after receiving an anonymous tip.

The Jalisco Attorney General’s Office acknowledged that the ranch was initially discovered in September 2024 during a National Guard operation. Authorities arrested ten individuals, freed two kidnapping victims, and found one deceased person.

During that operation, officials did uncover weapons and some skeletal remains, but they missed other remains hidden underground under a fresh method, implying a possible adaptation by the cartels.

Human rights groups and families of the disappeared are suspicious that local authorities might have concealed the camp’s existence. They highlighted that it’s hard to believe such a significant operation could occur without the knowledge of local law enforcement or security forces.

In response to these claims, a spokesperson from the Jalisco Attorney General’s Office stated they don’t comment on public statements made by societal actors. However, they did mention that the site’s previous inspections are now under review to check for procedural errors.

As the investigation continues, experts from the attorney general’s office are on-site, collecting evidence and working to identify the human remains discovered.

On social media, Mexico’s Attorney General, Alejandro Gertz Manero, suggested that the situation indicates a cover-up by local authorities, remarking that it’s hard to believe they were unaware of what was happening.

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the federal Attorney General’s Office would collaborate with Jalisco’s government to investigate further. She made it clear that accountability will be pursued.

Despite the serious nature of the findings, Mexican authorities have not officially labeled the ranch as an “extermination camp.” The term used by the Warrior Searchers has raised questions, and officials have so far not addressed its implications directly.

Interestingly, on social media, another group named Love for the Disappeared reported finding a similar camp in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. They claimed to have discovered numerous personal items and charred remains, though it’s yet to be verified if these remains are human.

The situation sheds light on a broader crisis in Mexico, where drug-related violence and disappearances have been rampant. According to a report by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, there were over 100,000 reported disappearances nationwide as of 2022. This data paints a grave picture of violence in the country and highlights an urgent need for effective law enforcement and human rights protections.

As authorities continue to investigate both sites, the public watches closely, advocating for justice and accountability in a landscape where many feel vulnerable and unheard.

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