Mexican mayor José Murguía Santiago now sits behind bars, accused of enabling the Jalisco New Generation Cartel to operate a training camp where bone fragments and personal items suggest a more sinister purpose than mere recruit preparation.
Key Takeaways
- The mayor of Teuchitlán, José Murguía Santiago, has been arrested for alleged collusion with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)
- Authorities discovered a suspected cartel training site dubbed the “ranch of horror” where human remains and personal belongings were found
- Mexico’s Attorney-General claims the site was a training center but not an “extermination camp,” contradicting concerns of human rights groups
- Approximately a dozen others, including police officials, have also been arrested in connection with the investigation
- Over 127,000 people are registered as missing in Mexico, with Jalisco state having the highest number of disappearances
Mayor Arrested Amid Cartel Training Camp Investigation
José Murguía Santiago, mayor of Teuchitlán in western Mexico, has been taken into custody as part of an ongoing investigation into a suspected Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) training facility. The arrest comes after activists from search groups discovered bone fragments and personal items at the Izaguirre ranch, raising concerns that the site may have served as what some called an “extermination camp.” Despite previously claiming innocence and expressing willingness to cooperate with authorities, Murguía Santiago now faces serious allegations of collusion with one of Mexico’s most violent cartels.
The investigation began following discoveries made by Guerreros Buscadores, a group dedicated to finding missing persons, who uncovered evidence allegedly overlooked in initial searches of the property. This prompted Mexico’s Attorney-General’s office to take over the case, leading to a broader probe into possible complicity between local officials and the cartel. The site, located in Jalisco state, has become the focal point of controversy as authorities and victims’ advocates disagree about its true purpose and the extent of criminal activities that occurred there.
Mexican mayor arrested in connection over drug cartel training camp
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Conflicting Claims About the “Ranch of Horror”
Human rights groups and families of missing persons fear the ranch served as a location for forced recruitment, training, torture, and killings by the CJNG. However, Mexican Attorney-General Alejandro Gertz has pushed back against characterizations of the site as an “extermination camp,” stating that while it was indeed a training center for the cartel, the investigation found no evidence supporting claims of mass killings. According to officials, bone fragments discovered at the location were not recent, and fires at the ranch were not hot enough to dispose of human remains.
“No evidence that it was an extermination camp,” stated Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch, supporting the attorney general’s assessment of the site’s purpose.
These statements have drawn criticism from relatives of missing persons who believe many questions remain unanswered. Human Rights Watch has described the location as an “apparent mass killing site,” directly contradicting government assertions. In September, authorities arrested 10 people at the ranch, freed two captives, and discovered a dead body along with skeletal remains, adding to the evidence that criminal activities beyond training took place at the facility.
Wider Network of Official Complicity Under Investigation
Beyond Mayor Murguía Santiago, approximately a dozen others have been arrested in connection with the investigation, including a police chief and several officers. These arrests suggest a broader network of official complicity potentially enabled the cartel to operate with impunity in the region. Before his arrest, the mayor had publicly maintained his innocence, saying, “If they want to investigate me, let them, I’m clean and willing to say what I know.”
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel has rapidly developed into one of Mexico’s most violent criminal organizations since splitting from the Sinaloa cartel in 2010. Their alleged training facility in Teuchitlán reflects their growing sophistication and territorial control. The case highlights the persistent problem of disappearances in Mexico, where over 127,000 people are officially registered as missing. Jalisco state alone holds the highest number of disappearance cases in the country, underscoring the region’s struggle with cartel violence and the suspected complicity of local officials in enabling these criminal organizations.
Sources:
- Mexican mayor arrested over alleged links to cartel training camp – Saudi Gazette
- Mexican mayor arrested in connection to alleged drug cartel training camp, official says – CBS News
