'Extermination' site discovered in Mexico with cremation ovens, human remains
For families in Mexico searching for missing loved ones, the grim discovery of what is being called an "extermination" site with human remains and ovens, could be their worst fears some true.
Mexican authorities are now investigating the site in the western state of Jalisco, first found last week by a group of volunteers that was believed, by the volunteers, to have been used by one of the area's cartels known as the New Generation Jalisco Cartel.
Inside its iron gates were an increasing number of horrors, including cremation ovens, bone fragments, hundreds of pairs of shoes, clothing and even children's toys.
"They'd see the shoes and say: 'those look like the ones my missing relative was wearing when they disappeared,'" Luz Toscano, one of the volunteers, told BBC News.
The ranch, near the village of Teuchitlán, was raided last September by Mexican authorities who failed to find or reveal the discovery of human remains.
At the time of the raid, 10 arrests were made, two hostages were released, and a body was found wrapped in plastic.
After authorities began searching this week, they said they also found almost 100 shell casings.
None of the remains have been identified, and the number is not yet known, but the number of personal items left behind is around 700.
"The number of the victims that presumably could have been buried there is enormous," Eduardo Guerrero, a security analyst in Mexico City, told The New York Times. "And it resurfaced the nightmarish reminder that Mexico is plagued with mass graves."
The discovery, based on an anonymous tip, has dominated the headlines, shocking a country that has become inured by mass graves and promoted citizens to call on authorities to crack down on cartel violence.
There are 120,000 "forcibly disappeared" people in Mexico.
Jalisco state Gov. Pablo Lemus told critics in a video message this week that his office is fully cooperating with federal investigators and no one is "washing their hands" of the case, according to BBC News.
The ranch in Teuchitlan, about 37 miles (60 kilometers) west of Guadalajara was allegedly being used as a training base for cartel recruits when National Guard troops found it last September.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
43 minutes ago
Mexico's president calls for no ICE raids during Mexico-Dominican Republic soccer match
MEXICO CITY -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged U.S. officials on Friday not to target individuals attending a Gold Cup soccer match in Los Angeles between the Mexican national team and the Dominican Republic. Dozens of workers have been detained by federal immigration authorities in a series of raids in LA's fashion district and at Home Depot parking lots in Southern California. More than 100 people have been detained. 'We don't believe that there will be any raids if there's a soccer game,' Sheinbaum said in a news conference. 'We hope there won't be any. We call for no action from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.' Mexico is scheduled to play the Dominican Republic on Saturday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in a group stage match of the Gold Cup. Usually, the Mexican national team matches attract thousands of fans whenever they play in Southern California. Their last match there was in March, when more than 50,000 fans attended a League of Nations semifinal against Canada. In the most recent measure in the administration's immigration crackdown, President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops and Marines to the Los Angeles area after the raids sparked days of tumultuous protests throughout the city. The city's downtown has seen a variety of protests, from quiet to boisterous. Over the weekend, protesters blocked a key freeway and set cars on fire. For safety concerns, the Mexican national team decided to change hotels earlier in the week and moved from downtown to Long Beach. Sheinbaum also said that the Mexican consulates in the United States have implemented an information campaign guide for Mexicans in the event of unjust detention by immigration authorities. 'This campaign we are carrying out through the consulates will provide all the information on what to do if detained, as well as ongoing contact with families,' the Sheinbaum said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jury reaches verdict in 20-year-old Hamilton murder
Jun. 13—A jury of 12 said Friday afternoon that Antonio Riano, the 63-year-old Mexican national indicted in a December 2004 murder, was guilty of murder when he shot and killed Benjamin Becarra. The verdict came back less than two hours after being sent to deliberate. Riano faces an 18 years to life sentence on the charge of murder, which includes a three-year gun specification. Sentencing is scheduled for July 14. Before Friday morning's closing arguments, Riano's defense team argued for Butler County Judge Michael Oster to allow the jury to consider voluntary manslaughter in addition to murder. Oster ruled, however, there was insufficient evidence in a video that showed the defendant shoot the 25-year-old Benjamin Becarra on Long Street, outside the Round House Bar in December 2004. The defense objected to that ruling. Butler County Assistant Prosecutor Brad Burress told the jury during closing arguments that the victim was "executed" less than an hour after Riano purchased ammunition for the firearm used in Becarra's killing. A minute before Becarra was shot, he told his cousin, "he's got a gun, he's going to kill me," Burress said, quoting the witness. "Talk about foreshadowing," Burress told the jury. "A human being was shot in the head. He was shot in cold blood by this defendant." Defense attorney Kara Blackney said they've never denied that her client shot Becarra, but it was because the younger man terrorized him. "He was not there to show up for a fight," Blackney said. Riano as trying to end the terrorism allegedly led by Becarra. She said the police never helped him, and decided to face Becarra. Assistant Prosecutor Michael Hon, who is part of the prosecution team, said Blackney was right, that Riano wasn't looking for a fight, but rather to carry out "vigilante justice." Hon said the people around shown in the video are scared of Riano, using his "El Diablo" nickname multiple times. "They outnumbered him," Hon said. "If they are terrorizing him, why not jump him, beat the crap out of him. It's because he's 'El Diablo.' They're scared of him." On Dec. 19, 2004, Riano, then 42 years old, shot Becarra in the head with a .38 Smith & Wesson following an argument on Long Street. The defense said it was self-defense, claiming he and his family were terrorized by Becarra, who at the time of the shooting had a blood-alcohol level three times the limit and tested positive for cocaine. The prosecution, however, said the killing was a ruthless murder committed by a man known as "El Diablo." The agreed-upon facts show the two men were at the Round House Bar, which sits on the corner of East Avenue and Long Street. Riano was inside when Becarra walked through a door off Long Street. An argument ensued, which had continued outside the bar. The prosecution said Riano fired a shot into the ground and eventually walked away from the argument, before turning back. More words were exchanged. A bystander tried to separate the men, but Riano extended his arm and shot Becarra in the face. Riano fled back to Mexico via New Jersey around the time he was indicted on the murder charge in February 2005. He left his wife and children behind, and was found working as a police officer in his hometown. He was extradited to the United States with the help of the U.S. Marshals Office and other authorities on Aug. 1. After closing arguments, the jury began deliberations. The jury's verdict was expected to be made after the Journal-News deadline. For the latest information, visit
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jury reaches verdict in 20-year-old Hamilton murder
Jun. 13—A jury of 12 said Friday afternoon that Antonio Riano, the 63-year-old Mexican national indicted in a December 2004 murder, was guilty of murder when he shot and killed Benjamin Becarra. The verdict came back less than two hours after being sent to deliberate. Riano faces an 18 years to life sentence on the charge of murder, which includes a three-year gun specification. Sentencing is scheduled for July 14. Before Friday morning's closing arguments, Riano's defense team argued for Butler County Judge Michael Oster to allow the jury to consider voluntary manslaughter in addition to murder. Oster ruled, however, there was insufficient evidence in a video that showed the defendant shoot the 25-year-old Benjamin Becarra on Long Street, outside the Round House Bar in December 2004. The defense objected to that ruling. Butler County Assistant Prosecutor Brad Burress told the jury during closing arguments that the victim was "executed" less than an hour after Riano purchased ammunition for the firearm used in Becarra's killing. A minute before Becarra was shot, he told his cousin, "he's got a gun, he's going to kill me," Burress said, quoting the witness. "Talk about foreshadowing," Burress told the jury. "A human being was shot in the head. He was shot in cold blood by this defendant." Defense attorney Kara Blackney said they've never denied that her client shot Becarra, but it was because the younger man terrorized him. "He was not there to show up for a fight," Blackney said. Riano as trying to end the terrorism allegedly led by Becarra. She said the police never helped him, and decided to face Becarra. Assistant Prosecutor Michael Hon, who is part of the prosecution team, said Blackney was right, that Riano wasn't looking for a fight, but rather to carry out "vigilante justice." Hon said the people around shown in the video are scared of Riano, using his "El Diablo" nickname multiple times. "They outnumbered him," Hon said. "If they are terrorizing him, why not jump him, beat the crap out of him. It's because he's 'El Diablo.' They're scared of him." On Dec. 19, 2004, Riano, then 42 years old, shot Becarra in the head with a .38 Smith & Wesson following an argument on Long Street. The defense said it was self-defense, claiming he and his family were terrorized by Becarra, who at the time of the shooting had a blood-alcohol level three times the limit and tested positive for cocaine. The prosecution, however, said the killing was a ruthless murder committed by a man known as "El Diablo." The agreed-upon facts show the two men were at the Round House Bar, which sits on the corner of East Avenue and Long Street. Riano was inside when Becarra walked through a door off Long Street. An argument ensued, which had continued outside the bar. The prosecution said Riano fired a shot into the ground and eventually walked away from the argument, before turning back. More words were exchanged. A bystander tried to separate the men, but Riano extended his arm and shot Becarra in the face. Riano fled back to Mexico via New Jersey around the time he was indicted on the murder charge in February 2005. He left his wife and children behind, and was found working as a police officer in his hometown. He was extradited to the United States with the help of the U.S. Marshals Office and other authorities on Aug. 1. After closing arguments, the jury began deliberations. The jury's verdict was expected to be made after the Journal-News deadline. For the latest information, visit
