Mexican authorities have arrested a mayor suspected of aiding a powerful drug cartel’s operations at what some are calling an “extermination center,” where human remains and evidence of cartel training activities were discovered.
Quick Takes
- José Murguía Santiago, mayor of Teuchitlán, has been arrested in connection with a New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG) training site investigation
- The site, known as the “ranch of horror,” contained bone fragments and personal items, suggesting possible killings and forced recruitment
- Mexico’s Attorney-General claims the site was a training center but not an “extermination camp” despite evidence found by activists
- About a dozen others, including police officials, have also been arrested in the ongoing investigation
- Over 127,000 people are registered as missing in Mexico, with Jalisco having the highest number of disappearances
Mayor’s Arrest Deepens Cartel Infiltration Concerns
Federal authorities have detained José Murguía Santiago, mayor of Teuchitlán in western Mexico, as part of an expanding investigation into a suspected cartel training facility operated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The mayor, who previously declared his innocence, now faces serious allegations of collusion with one of Mexico’s most violent criminal organizations. The investigation centers on the Izaguirre ranch, where authorities discovered bone fragments, personal belongings, and evidence suggesting the site served as both a training ground for cartel recruits and possibly a location where killings occurred.
Before his arrest, Murguía Santiago had publicly proclaimed his willingness to cooperate with investigators, stating: “If they want to investigate me, let them, I’m clean and willing to say what I know.” His detention signals a significant escalation in the case, as investigators examine possible connections between local officials and cartel operations. The mayor joins approximately a dozen others who have been arrested, including a police chief and several officers, highlighting potential systemic corruption within local government and law enforcement.
Mexican mayor arrested in connection over drug cartel training camp
A federal official said a mayor in western Mexico was arrested as part of a probe into a suspected drug cartel training camp, where #LadyGagaNaGlo #freevdm #MilkLove | May the 4th #linglingkwong pic.twitter.com/TrgnLQvG0x
— Newswire Law & Events (@NewswireLE) May 5, 2025
Discovery of the “Ranch of Horror”
The investigation began after activists from Guerreros Buscadores, a group dedicated to finding missing persons, discovered disturbing evidence at the Izaguirre ranch in September 2024. The group found bone fragments and clothing at the site, prompting authorities to conduct a more thorough investigation. In September, a raid resulted in the arrest of 10 individuals, the rescue of two captives, and the discovery of a dead body along with skeletal remains. These findings intensified concerns that the ranch had been used for sinister purposes beyond just training cartel members.
“A mayor from a western Mexico town was arrested as part of a probe into a suspected drug cartel training camp where human bones and clothing were found, a federal official said.”
Human Rights Watch has characterized the ranch as an “apparent mass killing site,” with reports suggesting it was used to forcibly recruit individuals into the cartel. According to investigators, those who refused to cooperate or failed to meet expectations may have been tortured or killed. The remote location of the ranch provided ideal conditions for the cartel to conduct these activities away from public view, allowing them to build and strengthen their criminal operations with minimal interference.
Conflicting Claims About the Ranch’s Purpose
A significant controversy has emerged regarding the exact nature of the activities at the ranch. Mexico’s Attorney-General Alejandro Gertz confirmed the site was used as a training center for the CJNG but disputed claims that it functioned as an “extermination camp.” Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch stated there was “no evidence that it was an extermination camp,” despite the human remains discovered at the location. Officials have suggested that the bone fragments found were not recent and that fires at the ranch were not hot enough to dispose of human remains.
“If they want to investigate me, let them, I’m clean and willing to say what I know,” Mayor Murguía Santiago said.
These official statements have drawn criticism from relatives of missing persons and human rights organizations, who contend that many questions remain unanswered. The discrepancy between official accounts and evidence found by civilian search groups highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing Mexico’s disappearance crisis. Jalisco state has the highest number of missing persons cases in a country where more than 127,000 people are officially registered as disappeared, many of whom are believed to be victims of cartel violence.
The Rising Power of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel
The CJNG has rapidly emerged as one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organizations since splitting from the Sinaloa cartel in 2010. Their methods include sophisticated training operations, forcible recruitment, and strategic alliances with corrupt officials. The discovery of the training ranch provides a rare glimpse into the cartel’s organizational structure and tactics, revealing how they develop their armed forces and maintain control over territories. The alleged involvement of local officials, including Mayor Murguía Santiago, demonstrates how deeply cartel influence has penetrated government institutions.
The case of the Teuchitlán ranch represents just one facet of Mexico’s broader security crisis, where cartels have established parallel power structures in many regions. As federal authorities continue their investigation into the mayor and other officials, the case highlights the immense challenges facing Mexico in its struggle against organized crime and corruption. For the families of the missing, the slow progress of investigations and conflicting official statements only deepen their anguish as they search for answers about their loved ones’ fates.
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
