Title: Government Finds Mexican Ranch Linked to Cartel, Disclaims Extermination Claims
In a significant development surrounding the Izaguirre ranch in Teuchitlán, western Mexico, Attorney General Alejandro Gertz announced that the site, previously labeled an “extermination camp” by families searching for missing relatives, was a training hub for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Gertz noted that, despite the discovery of personal items and small bone fragments, there is “not a single piece of evidence” to support claims of human cremations.
During a press conference, Gertz outlined findings indicating that the ranch served as a recruitment and operations center for CJNG, one of Mexico’s most notorious criminal organizations. He clarified that while the initial investigations yielded small bone fragments, a university study revealed no evidence of crematories, as the heat levels measured did not exceed 200 degrees Celsius—far below the 800 degrees required for cremation.
Gertz acknowledged that while some cadavers were found, investigators had not uncovered any additional remains since a National Guard encounter at the site in September, pointing out that previously thought cremation ovens were merely bonfires. Héctor Flores, a leader of a local search group, insisted that the ranch functioned as an extermination site, criticizing the government’s technical descriptions for attempting to alter public perception.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, over 120,000 people have gone missing in Mexico since 1962, with Jalisco state accounting for more than 15,000 cases, many tied to the CJNG. Gertz expressed commitment to investigating local police complicity in cartel operations, reaffirming that authorities would pursue those involved in covering up these illicit activities. Furthermore, he indicated ongoing forensic efforts to identify the discovered bone fragments and clothing items.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
