Mexico’s top prosecutor has denounced flaws in the investigation into a ranch dubbed “ranch of horror” in the western state of Jalisco, where thousands of bone fragments and ashes were found. The discovery has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the government’s handling of disappearances and cartel violence.
Alejandro Gertz, Mexico’s attorney general, said that state authorities had been aware of the ranch as early as September but failed to test human remains or properly identify clothing and shoes found there. He vowed to uncover the truth behind what happened at the ranch and determined causes of death.
The investigation will focus on possible links between the Jalisco state prosecutor’s office and organized crime, with Gertz promising to hold accountable those responsible for any irregularities. The discovery has put pressure on President Claudia Sheinbaum to set herself apart from her mentor, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who critics say did not do enough to address disappearances.
Sheinbaum announced a series of measures to strengthen laws around missing persons and increase resources dedicated to searches. However, search groups and rights experts have said that these measures are largely already reflected in current or past laws with few new concepts to push the needle forward.
The discovery has also sparked a fresh wave of public backlash against cartels, which have kept Mexico gripped by fear amid relentless violence and bloody turf wars. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, widely thought to have operated the ranch, denied any involvement and accused search groups of distorting facts for their own gain.
Gertz’s office will now grant access to the site to members of the public and journalists, in an effort to increase transparency and cooperation with families searching for missing loved ones. The investigation into the “ranch of horror” is ongoing, but Gertz has vowed to uncover the truth behind what happened at the ranch.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexicos-attorney-general-investigating-origin-human-remains-found-ranch-2025-03-19