Skeletal remains of at least 11 individuals have been discovered in hidden graves in western Mexico, authorities reported Thursday. The graves were found in a rural area of Ixtlahuacan, a suburb of Guadalajara in Jalisco state.
Authorities also located 12 bags containing human remains at a separate construction site in nearby Tlajomulco. The total number of victims from both locations remains undetermined. Officials indicated the remains appear to be old, though a specific timeframe was not provided.
This discovery adds to a growing number of similar incidents in Jalisco, the state most affected by a national crisis of missing persons. The region is home to one of Mexico's most powerful and violent drug cartels. Official figures indicate over 130,000 people are missing across Mexico, predominantly in the last two decades due to drug-related violence. Jalisco accounts for over 15,900 of these cases, attributed by experts to the activities of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Guadalajara, the state capital, is preparing to host matches for the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. The Mexican federal government has deployed nearly 100,000 troops to ensure security in the host cities.