Shocking Discovery of a CJNG Extermination Camp in Jalisco—Not a Single Mention from Mexico’s Cartel-Allied Government
In a chilling discovery that has shaken Mexico, the Guerreros Buscadores de Jalisco collective uncovered an extermination camp this week in the municipality of Teuchitlán, Jalisco.
Localizan horno crematorio clandestino en Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, aún quemaban restos para desaparecer cuerpos cuando fue descubierto https://t.co/hDXQzg7GVp pic.twitter.com/XtpLzVtMfS
— Blog del Narco México (@blogdelnarcomex) October 16, 2023
The site, known as Rancho Izaguirre and allegedly operated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), contained three clandestine ovens, charred human remains, and hundreds of personal belongings, including approximately 400 pairs of shoes, clothing, backpacks, and a farewell letter.
Authorities estimate that at least 200 people may have been victims in this gruesome setting, a stark reflection of the rampant violence plaguing the country.
The discovery took place on March 5, following an anonymous call alerting the collective to the presence of human remains at the ranch, located in the town of La Estanzuela.
Accompanied by members of the National Guard, the searchers found a warehouse filled with scattered personal belongings. After hours of searching, they uncovered underground ovens and a brick slab designed to make detecting the crimes more difficult. Among the most heartbreaking findings was a letter signed by Eduardo Lerma Nito, a 20-year-old who had been missing since February 2024 in Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco—giving faces and names to the victims of this tragedy.
Llevamos años diciéndolo.
La violencia sigue escalando y los muertos también. Solo que lo esconden detrás de los desaparecidos, por eso crecen tanto con respecto a los anteriores.
Y el crematorio clandestino de Jalisco es una prueba clara de ello. pic.twitter.com/Y0JDyaQEDJ— Piper (@PiperThread) March 8, 2025
Rancho Izaguirre was not unknown to authorities. In September 2024, the National Guard had already intervened at the site, arresting 10 people and rescuing two kidnapping victims after a confrontation. However, the Jalisco Prosecutor’s Office admitted it had not fully inspected the nearly 10,000-square-meter property, overlooking the crematoriums and mass graves that have now come to light. This omission has sparked fierce criticism from search collectives and civil society, questioning the effectiveness and willingness of the Mexican government to confront organized crime.
The “Guerreros Buscadores” collective [civilians who try to locate and identify the bodies of missing persons] located clandestine crematoriums on a ranch in the Mexican state of Jalisco.
A ranch of horror: A CJNG [Jalisco New Generation Cartel] extermination center found was in… pic.twitter.com/u19jg7lJqW
— US Ship of State (@US_ShipOfState) March 8, 2025
“CJNG operates with alarming impunity, and this extermination camp is proof that the Morena government, led by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and now by Claudia Sheinbaum, has failed to protect its people,” said Virginia Ponce, coordinator of the Madres Buscadoras de Jalisco collective, in a recent interview. Ponce described the unbearable stench of death at the site and emphasized that authorities had the chance to act earlier but failed to do so.
This case is a grim reminder of the “hugs, not bullets” policy promoted by the Mexican government, which has been criticized for its apparent leniency toward drug cartels. “What happens in Jalisco doesn’t stay in Jalisco,” wrote a user on X, echoing the sentiment of many who see this discovery as part of a broader crisis.
The Jalisco Prosecutor’s Office has promised to continue investigations, but distrust prevails.
CJNG, one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent cartels, has expanded its influence through brutal tactics reminiscent of the worst days of Los Zetas, including forced recruitment and the systematic elimination of opponents or victims. The ranch also served as a training ground, with areas adapted with tires and logs, suggesting that many of those brought there were forced to serve the cartel before being executed.
This discovery brings to the forefront the urgent need for a strong response against organized crime in Mexico.
As the searching mothers of Jalisco continue their relentless fight, one question remains: How much longer will government inaction allow extermination camps like this to operate in the shadows?
About The Author
Maria Herrera Mellado
María Herrera Mellado es una abogada y analista política muy respetada. Licenciada en Derecho en EE.UU. y España, también tiene un doctorado en Ciencias Jurídicas y varios títulos de la Universidad de Granada (España), de la Universidad de Arizona y de la Florida International University. Con amplia experiencia en derecho internacional, asesoría en inversiones, representación en inmigración, y protección de la privacidad y lucha anticorrupción, ha asesorado a organizaciones y políticos europeos, estadounidenses e hispanoamericanos. Ha escrito sobre seguridad nacional e inmigración, protección de datos, derecho constitucional, consumo financiero y derecho bancario en revistas internacionales y coescribió libros publicados en Perú y Colombia. Es reconocida por su servicio comunitario en EE.UU. y es considerada una de las mujeres más influyentes de Florida. Es experta en varios idiomas y participa frecuentemente en debates en canales como Univisión, Fox, France 24, Telemundo y es la Editora Jefe de Gateway Hispanic.
María Herrera Mellado is a highly respected lawyer and political analyst. She holds law degrees from both the United States and Spain, as well as a Ph.D. in Legal Sciences and several diplomas from the University of Granada (Spain), the University of Arizona, and Florida International University. With extensive experience in international law, investment advisory, immigration representation, privacy protection, and anti-corruption efforts, she has advised organizations and politicians across Europe, the United States, and Hispanic America. She has written about national security and immigration, data protection, constitutional law, financial consumer protection, and banking law in international journals and co-authored books published in Peru and Colombia. Recognized for her community service in the United States, she is considered one of the most influential women in Florida. A polyglot, she frequently participates in debates on channels such as Univisión, Fox, France 24, Telemundo, and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Gateway Hispanic.
12 comentarios en «Shocking Discovery of a CJNG Extermination Camp in Jalisco—Not a Single Mention from Mexico’s Cartel-Allied Government»
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Why would they mention something they are complicit in!??!!?
Guaranty our deep state knew about this as well.
Why should anyone in the US shed one tear for this? It’s a Mexican problem, Mexican issue needing a Mexican solution. Unfortunately, Mexico is completely incapable of handling this due to the complete corruption of the Mexican government, military and police.
It’s a 2.5 acre property, it’s not a ranch. They ignored the evidence which would have been obvious to anyone.
US needs to take Mexico and kill the people in the cartels. It is the only way to stop drugs from comming into the USA. 51st state.
we do have cruise missles. Be a good use for them. hacer de México el quincuagésimo primer estado.
Under the Mérida Initiative, the U.S. has spent about $3 billion since 2007 assisting security forces with fighting corruption and criminal organizations—like drug cartels—in Mexico. Since 2008, Washington has disbursed over $3 billion worth of military assistance to Mexico. Mexico has the weapons to effectively fight and eliminate the cartels, but how much of that military hardware has magically disappeared and is in cartel hands? Eliminating the Cartels will mean the elected politicians will have to find a new way to fund their lavish lifestyles, so not limely!
Hello, Maria Herrera Mellado. I look forward to reading your other articles.
Just looking for a better life right.?
T
Unfortunately, The USA is in no position to be effective. The Mexican Government is so tied to the DeepState that even clandestine activity by US would be thwarted. Scare tactics from Trump would fall on deaf ears.
They found 400 pairs of shoes but they estimate only 200 people were killed. So every person killed was carrying an extra pair of shoes?
«Crickets» from the Jewish Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum.