By Gill Bikram Singh 
A clandestine crematorium containing burnt remains and 200 pairs of shoes has been discovered on a ranch in Jalisco, Mexico, highlighting the country’s ongoing crisis of forced disappearances linked to organized crime.
The chilling discovery was made by Warrior Searchers of Jalisco, a collective of relatives searching for missing persons, after they received an anonymous tip-off. Authorities have since confirmed the presence of human remains and empty bullet casings at the site.
Possible Mass Execution Site
Investigators believe the crematorium may have been used to dispose of victims of forced disappearances. “They have to conduct a thorough inspection. We ask that they bring the dogs trained to locate human remains and bones,” said Índira Navarro, a representative of the search collective, in a statement to AFP.
The ranch where the crematorium was found had been secured by authorities months earlier during an operation that resulted in the arrest of 10 armed individuals, the rescue of two kidnapped victims, and the discovery of a body. However, officials were unable to fully explore the property at that time.
Cartel Involvement Suspected
The site is suspected to have been a training and recruitment ground for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations. The cartel, recently designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government, is involved in drug and human trafficking operations both within Mexico and internationally.
Authorities explained that during their initial search, the crematorium and remains were concealed beneath a layer of earth and a brick slab, making detection difficult. However, upon returning to the site this week, search teams uncovered clothing, handbags, backpacks, suitcases, and numerous pairs of shoes strewn across the area. Within hours, they located the first of three underground ovens believed to have been used for incinerating bodies.
Mexico’s Disappearance Crisis
Authorities are now working to determine the number of victims whose remains may be present at the site. Jalisco has the highest number of disappearances in Mexico, with nearly 15,000 missing persons reported, according to the National Search Commission.
Nationwide, more than 100,000 people are officially registered as disappeared, though experts believe the actual figure could be much higher, as many families fear reporting cases due to threats from criminal groups.
The gruesome discovery is another tragic reminder of the deep-rooted violence and impunity that continue to grip Mexico, leaving countless families searching for answers.