In a chilling reminder of the persistent violence plaguing parts of Mexico, the decapitated bodies of five men were discovered near a road in Jalisco, a region infamous for the presence of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The grisly discovery was made on Sunday morning by drivers who spotted several black plastic bags containing human remains near the town of Ojuelos, Jalisco.
Local police and forensic experts promptly arrived at the scene to secure the area and begin their investigation. The Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the remains had been decapitated, wrapped in plastic, and discarded along the roadside. So far, authorities have been unable to determine the ages or identities of the victims. National Guard troops were also deployed to secure the area as forensic teams worked to gather evidence.
Officials suspect that the killings were carried out by organized crime groups, pointing to the brutal nature of the crime and the public display of the bodies as indicators of cartel involvement. The region is known for violent clashes between the CJNG and rival cartels vying for control of drug trafficking routes and other illicit activities.
Jalisco has been one of the states hardest hit by cartel-related violence, recording 1,415 murders between January and September 2024, according to official figures. The discovery of the five bodies adds to the grim tally and highlights the ongoing battle for power among criminal organizations in the area.
Nationally, Mexico continues to grapple with high levels of violence, with more than 30,000 homicides reported annually, making it one of the most dangerous countries in the world. The increasing number of killings underscores the growing crisis, despite government efforts to curb the violence.
The incident comes just days after the assassination of Alejandro Arcos, the recently elected mayor of Chilpancingo, Guerrero. Arcos was killed last week, only days after taking office, in what appeared to be a targeted attack. His murder has raised concerns about the ability of local governments to operate freely without fear of cartel retaliation, as political figures and law enforcement officials have frequently been targeted by criminal groups.
President Claudia Sheinbaum, who was sworn in last week, has pledged a different approach to tackling the violence. Moving away from the heavy militarization strategy of previous administrations, Sheinbaum aims to focus on intelligence gathering and addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty and unemployment. This approach, known as “hugs not bullets,” was initiated by her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. However, it has been met with criticism from opposition parties, who argue that a stronger crackdown on cartels is necessary to restore security.
Since 2006, when Mexico’s government began deploying the military to combat drug cartels, the country has been locked in a protracted conflict. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, and tens of thousands remain missing, leaving families without closure. Despite years of efforts, the violence shows little sign of abating.
The latest incident in Jalisco highlights the ongoing challenge of cartel violence and the difficulty of enforcing law and order in areas dominated by powerful criminal groups. As authorities continue to investigate the case, there are calls for a renewed focus on security strategies to curb the widespread violence and prevent such brutal acts from occurring again.
