A mass grave with three underground cremation ovens, human remains, and personal effects has been discovered at an abandoned ranch outside Guadalajara, Mexico. Authorities are investigating the site, which the group searching for missing relatives is calling an “extermination camp.” The discovery comes after a tip from local volunteers, who found evidence of burned human remains, hundreds of bone shards, and discarded items.
The Mexican authorities have taken over the investigation, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum’s office. However, details about the site, including how many people died there and who operated it, remain unclear. The State Attorney General’s Office has said that 96 shell casings were found at the ranch, which may be linked to organized crime.
Photos taken by authorities and volunteers showed over 200 shoes piled together, along with personal items such as a blue summer dress and pieces of underwear. Human rights groups have demanded action from the government to address the violence in Mexico, where more than 120,000 people have been forcibly disappeared since 1962.
The discovery has coincided with President Sheinbaum’s push to tackle organized crime and secure her country’s future in a post- Trump era. The site may be linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s most violent groups.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/world/americas/mexico-extermination-camp.html