On Sunday, October 13, 2024, a horrific discovery was made in Jalisco, Mexico when police found the decapitated bodies of five men on a highway in the town of Ojuelos. The bodies were encased in plastic bags and were found just one week after a local mayor was brutally murdered, intensifying worries about the high levels of violence affecting the country.
Motorists who had observed several bags appearing to contain human remains were the ones who discovered the bodies. The state prosecutor’s office received a report stating, “on the asphalt strip of the road… there were several bags that looked like human silhouettes.”
The authorities verified that the bodies had been beheaded, with the heads stored in another bag nearby. The victims’ identities remain unknown, while forensic specialists are examining the site for more evidence and clues. This gruesome discovery has raised concerns about potential involvement of drug cartels, as such crimes are often linked to organized crime.
Jalisco has been a hotspot for cartel violence, with the notorious Jalisco Nueva Generacion Cartel (CJNG) maintaining a substantial presence in the region. The cartel has been associated with numerous violent acts, including beheadings and public displays of bodies to instill fear. Official data shows that violence in the region has significantly escalated, with over 1,400 people killed in Jalisco from January to September of this year.
The brutal murders took place a week after Chilpancingo Mayor, Alejandro Arcos, was found decapitated. Arcos was murdered shortly after assuming office, prompting other officials to seek federal protection. It was reported that Arcos did not ask for any security escorts before his death, emphasizing the risks officials face in areas ridden with crime. The murder of the mayor occurred amidst rising tensions as various criminal groups vie for territorial control and attempt to manipulate government affairs.
This latest incident underscores the pervasive violence that has afflicted Mexico, particularly since the government deployed the military in 2006 to fight drug trafficking. Since then, over 450,000 people have been killed, and tens of thousands have disappeared. In recent years, political figures have increasingly become targets, with a minimum of 24 politicians killed in the lead-up to Mexico’s June 2024 elections.
President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration has pledged to confront cartel violence through social programs aimed at addressing the root causes of crime. Following her predecessor’s “hugs, not bullets” approach, President Sheinbaum is focusing on social policy to address poverty and prevent crime rather than solely relying on military force. “The war on drugs will not return,” she declared during a press conference.
However, critics argue that the government’s approach has been ineffective, citing the consistently high rates of violence and influence of organized crime. The cartels have entrenched themselves in various aspects of Mexican society, using corruption to consolidate their power and evade law enforcement.
Mexico faces significant challenges as it grapples with the rampant criminal activity that has undermined public trust in institutions and placed countless lives at risk.
