OCOTLAN, MEXICO – In the latest grim incident revealing the severe level of violence in Mexico, authorities uncovered the decapitated bodies of five men in Jalisco’s Ojuelos municipality, nestled in the country’s violence-stricken western region. The horrific discovery was made over the weekend when black plastic bags containing the remains were found by National Guard members.
Upon responding to reports, the authorities stumbled upon the bodies laid out on the asphalt, clad in only pants. Nearby, they uncovered a separate bag housing the heads, prompting forensic teams to methodically search for evidence around the scene. The municipality of Ojuelos is adjacent to Lagos de Moreno, notorious for its organized crime-led violence.
One particularly despicable incident in the area occurred last year, when five young individuals disappeared, later found to have been tortured and killed, with their final moments shared online. Authorities attribute much of the region’s violence to the Jalisco Nueva Generacion Cartel (CJNG), infamous not only within Mexico but also internationally for its illegal narcotics activities, affecting nearby countries with their trade-in deadly substances disguised as common medications.
A substantial U.S. reward stands for the capture of CJNG’s leader, Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” reflecting international concern over the cartel’s influence. In Jalisco alone, official figures reveal over 1,400 individuals have fallen victim to murder within just this year.
Nationally, Mexico’s struggle against crime dates back to 2006, with over 450,000 lives lost in the turbulent period since the army first took the lead in anti-drug campaign efforts. Just last week, a shocking incident saw Chilpancingo’s mayor in Guerrero state beheaded, not even a week into his term- a testament to the precarious position of political figures amid pervasive criminal threats.
With such threats forcing municipal leaders to seek federal protection, the new presidency under Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president, faces intensifying pressure to address the rampant crime. Committed to continuing with social-focused policies to address root causes rather than resorting to militarized crackdowns, Sheinbaum’s strategy remains to steer clear of reigniting past militaristic anti-drug battles, despite the persistent danger.
Recent discoveries like Guanajuato’s twelve torture-marked bodies with cartel messaging underline the immense challenge ahead for Sheinbaum’s administration. Engaging with such deep-seated issues, she continues to promote policies aimed at curtailing cartel influence, even as violence presses an urgent need for comprehensive solutions.