A Disturbing Facility In Teuchitlan Raises Eyebrows

In the heart of Mexico’s Teuchitlan, a grim revelation has unfurled—an extermination site posing as a cartel training ground.

Key Takeaways

Three crematory ovens linked to the CJNG cartel uncovered at Izaguirre Ranch.
200 pairs of shoes and personal items suggest mass violence at the site.
Federal investigators now lead the investigation into local police mishandlings.
Critics suspect local authorities of complicity with cartels.
President Claudia Sheinbaum has vowed no impunity for those responsible.

Discovery of Cartel Operations

Authorities discovered three human crematory ovens at the Izaguirre Ranch in Jalisco, Mexico, connected to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). These ovens were allegedly used for forced recruitment, torture, and disposal of victims who resisted the cartel’s coercive methods. Such events illustrate the pervasive control Mexico’s drug cartels exert, embedding violent practices within their operations.

Activists found over 200 pairs of shoes, clothing, and personal items scattered across the site. These items indicate mass disappearances and executions, painting a disturbing picture of the site’s function. Despite local police having raided the ranch in September, the full extent of violence remained obscured until now. Complicity and negligence among local authorities have prematurely ended countless lives.

Impact on Families and Authorities

President Claudia Sheinbaum has ordered federal investigators to lead the enquiry, due to suspicions of local authorities’ collusion with cartels. The media dubs it an “extermination site,” reflecting extreme violence and systematic disappearances. Families of victims are tirelessly protesting, demanding accountability and broader investigations for missing persons across Mexico.

“There were children’s toys in there,” said Luz Toscano, a member of the Buscadores Guerreros de Jalisco Collective who initially discovered the site.

Survivors recount harrowing accounts of forced recruitment and dehumanizing conditions within the camp. Such testimonies from those who evaded the terrifying grip of the CJNG offer a bleak look at the cartels’ operations. Authorities, however, have struggled in recent years to manage the harrowing volume of disappearances in the region.

Further Repercussions

The discovery has prompted nationwide protests, sparking debates on both the scale of criminal activity and law enforcement’s role. More than 15,000 people remain missing in Jalisco alone, with the CJNG dominating regional criminal operations. Recently, demonstrations spread from Jalisco to cities like Mexico City, Tijuana, and Veracruz as public outcry intensifies.

As authorities deepen investigations into this case, Mexico faces renewed pressure to confront and mitigate drug cartels’ formidable influence. In response, President Sheinbaum has pledged legislative reforms and vowed justice for those who have disappeared, driven by the chilling revelations from Teuchitlan. Reminding the world of ongoing challenges, Mexico seeks accountability and transformative action.