In a gruesome discovery, police in Jalisco, Mexico found the decapitated bodies of five men along a highway in the town of Ojuelos on Sunday, October 13, 2024. The bodies, wrapped in plastic bags, were found just a week after a mayor was brutally killed, escalating concerns over the intense violence that has plagued the country.
The bodies were discovered by motorists who noticed several bags along the road that appeared to contain human remains. According to the state prosecutor’s office, “A report was received indicating that, on the asphalt strip of the road… there were several bags that looked like human silhouettes.”
Authorities confirmed that the bodies had been beheaded, with their heads placed in a separate bag nearby. The victims have not been identified, and forensic experts are investigating the scene for additional clues and evidence. This grim find has stirred fears that drug cartels may be involved, as these kinds of killings are often tied to organized crime.
Jalisco has been at the epicenter of cartel violence, with the powerful Jalisco Nueva Generacion Cartel (CJNG) having a strong presence in the region. CJNG has been linked to numerous violent incidents, including beheadings and public displays of bodies to send a chilling message. The region has seen a sharp increase in violence, with official figures indicating that over 1,400 people were killed in Jalisco between January and September of this year.
The beheadings occurred just a week after the mayor of Chilpancingo, Alejandro Arcos, was found decapitated. Arcos was killed shortly after taking office, which has led other officials to request federal protection. Reports indicate that Arcos did not request any security escorts before his death, highlighting the dangers faced by officials in crime-ridden areas. The mayor’s murder came amid rising tensions as various criminal groups fight for control over territories and attempt to influence government affairs.
This most recent incident reflects the widespread violence that has plagued Mexico, especially since the government deployed the military in 2006 to combat drug trafficking. Since then, over 450,000 people have been killed, and tens of thousands have gone missing. In recent years, political figures have increasingly become targets, with at least 24 politicians killed in the lead-up to Mexico’s June 2024 elections.
The current administration, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, has vowed to tackle cartel violence through social programs aimed at addressing the root causes of crime. President Sheinbaum has echoed her predecessor’s “hugs, not bullets” strategy, which emphasizes using social policy to address poverty and prevent crime rather than relying solely on military force. “The war on drugs will not return,” she stated during a press conference.
Critics argue that the government’s approach has been ineffective, pointing to the persistently high levels of violence and organized crime influence. The cartels have infiltrated various aspects of Mexican society, leveraging corruption to maintain their power and circumvent law enforcement.
The recent killings highlight the profound challenges facing Mexico as it struggles to contain the rampant criminality that has eroded trust in public institutions and endangered countless lives.