At least 56 bodies have been uncovered in unmarked mass graves in northern Mexico's Chihuahua state, local prosecutors announced on Saturday. The grim discovery adds to the growing concern over violence and disappearances in regions plagued by cartel activity.
The remains, which include full skeletons, partial remains, clothing, and bullet casings, were found earlier this week in an area known as \"El Willy.\" This region is reportedly under the control of La Línea, an armed faction of the Juárez cartel. The area serves as a critical trafficking route for both drugs and migrants heading toward the United States.
The exhumation operation, supported by military forces, spanned several days. Authorities have transported the remains to a forensic laboratory for further analysis in hopes of determining the time and cause of death and identifying the victims.
Mass graves are unfortunately common in Mexico, particularly in regions suffering from cartel-related violence. According to Mexico's national registry, more than 345,000 people have been reported missing across the country. Since the government launched a major offensive against drug cartels in 2006, over 450,000 people have been murdered nationwide.
This recent discovery follows similar findings in Chihuahua last month. Authorities unearthed 12 bodies in clandestine graves and found another 12 bodies in nearby graves approximately two hours from Ciudad Juárez, a city across the border from El Paso, Texas.
Ciudad Juárez is one of eight border locations along the 3,000-kilometer border where Mexico is preparing for an influx of deportees expected to arrive from the United States in the coming weeks. The U.S. government plans to deport immigrants to Mexico, raising concerns about the capacity of border cities like Juárez to accommodate them. An estimated five million undocumented Mexicans currently live in the U.S., and a mass return could quickly overwhelm local resources.
The discovery of the mass graves highlights the ongoing challenges Mexico faces in addressing cartel violence and ensuring the safety of its citizens. Authorities continue to investigate, hoping to bring closure to the families of the victims and address the underlying issues contributing to such tragedies.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
