How many missing persons has Mexico recorded since the 1950s?

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Mexico Has Recorded Over 120,000 Missing Persons Since the 1950s

Mexico has recorded more than 120,000 missing persons since the 1950s. This figure represents a significant portion of the population, with many disappearances linked to drug cartel violence, particularly following the government's war against traffickers that began in 2006. The scale of these disappearances has led to a forensic crisis, with authorities undertaking major exhumation efforts to identify remains.
Over 120,000 Individuals Have Vanished Since the 1950s

The total number of people who have gone missing in Mexico since the 1950s exceeds 120,000. This figure encompasses individuals who have vanished under various circumstances, many of whom are believed to have been abducted and killed by criminal organizations, such as drug cartels. The number of disappearances surged significantly after 2006, coinciding with a period of intense conflict related to drug trafficking.
Clandestine Mass Graves Are a Symbol of the Conflict

The conflict has resulted in the widespread use of clandestine mass graves across the country. These sites are utilized by criminals to conceal the bodies of their victims, sometimes found dismembered or decapitated. Authorities also use mass graves, such as those at Dolores Cemetery in Mexico City, to inter unidentified bodies that are never claimed by families, contributing to the extensive number of unknown deceased.
Major Exhumation Efforts Underway at Dolores Cemetery

Authorities in Mexico City have initiated a significant exhumation operation at Dolores Cemetery, the city's largest. This effort aims to identify over 6,600 individuals among thousands buried in 75 mass graves. This operation, described as unprecedented by the head of Mexico City’s Missing Persons Search Commission, Luis Gomez Negrete, involves the meticulous recovery and analysis of remains.
Forensic Challenges and Family Hopes for Identification

The exhumation process is a monumental and lengthy task, with forensic experts carefully recovering bone fragments. For instance, in the initial five days of one excavation, 3,463 bone fragments were recovered, though no victims had yet been identified. The complexity arises from the condition of the remains and the depth of the graves, some of which are 15 layers deep. Families of the missing, like Elizabeth Alvarez and Maria del Refugio Palacios, await identification, holding onto hope that even partial remains can provide closure.

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How many missing persons has Mexico recorded since the 1950s?

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