In brief
The Mexican Attorney General has dismissed allegations of human cremations at the Izaguirre ranch, which was suspected to be an “extermination camp,” confirming it was used for cartel activities but not as a site for incinerating remains.
An abandoned ranch in western Mexico, previously suggested as an “extermination camp” by groups searching for missing loved ones, has been confirmed to be a training ground for a violent cartel. Attorney General Alejandro Gertz disclosed on Tuesday that investigators found no evidence to support claims of human cremations occurring at the site. Focusing on testimonies and documentation, Gertz revealed that the ranch, located in Teuchitlán near Guadalajara, served as a recruitment and operational hub for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.During a press conference, Gertz emphasized, “There is not a single piece of evidence to prove” that the ranch was involved in any form of human cremation. Initially, authorities noted the discovery of small bone fragments at the ranch in September, but further analysis conducted by a Mexico City university indicated that temperatures associated with any burnings did not exceed 200 degrees Celsius—far below the 800 degrees usually required for cremation.In earlier statements, while Gertz hinted at signs of cremation related to some human remains recovered from the site, he has since clarified that no formal crematory facilities were identified. Additionally, Mexico's security minister, Omar García Harfuch, highlighted earlier this month that based on insights from apprehended cartel members, violent measures were employed against those who resisted training or attempted escape, reinforcing the ranch's role as an operations center for the cartel.The revelations come amid ongoing scrutiny regarding the fate of individuals reported missing in Mexico, a crisis that has deeply affected countless families searching for answers.
