Sat Dec 06 15:59:41 UTC 2025: News Article:
Guadalajara Prepares for World Cup Amidst Disappearance Crisis
Guadalajara, Mexico – As Guadalajara races to complete infrastructure projects for the 2026 World Cup, a dark shadow hangs over the city: the ongoing crisis of disappeared persons. Jalisco, the state capital, has the highest number of disappearances in Mexico, with nearly 16,000 people missing, part of over 130,000 countrywide.
While authorities focus on World Cup preparations, families of the missing accuse them of attempting to erase the reality of the disappearances. Officials have threatened to remove portraits and signs from the “roundabout of the disappeared,” a central monument where families display photos and information about their loved ones.
Critics point to government complicity, citing instances where state agents have been implicated in disappearances or have failed to adequately investigate cases. The “war on drugs” is often blamed for the violence.
Adding to the distress, a clandestine crematorium, allegedly used by a drug cartel, was discovered near Guadalajara, highlighting the scale of the crisis. Despite promises of change from the new presidential administration, families say little has improved.
“Where is our security?” demanded Maribel Cedeno, whose brother was disappeared. “Where is the security for our family members?”
While the World Cup promises to bring global attention to Guadalajara, the focus on sanitizing the city’s image risks burying the painful truth of Mexico’s disappearance crisis.
First Piper 