Recent news broke about an extermination camp that has been discovered in Jalisco, Mexico. With children's clothing and human remains, the question is, who could have possibly done it?  

On March 5th, 2025, in Jalisco, Mexico, a group of mothers who were known as Buscadores guerreros de Jalisco Collective were on the lookout for their missing loved ones when they discovered an “extermination camp” in Rancho Izaguirre. 

As they went inside, they were shocked to discover human remains scattered throughout among burned shoes and backpacks. This raised significant shock throughout the community and state of Jalisco because this was a gruesome act that the city had never experienced aside from cartel exterminations and cartel wars.

Now, this raises the question: Who may have done it? Will there be other extermination camps found in Jalisco or anywhere else in Mexico?

Mexico is notorious for its cartels and drug trafficking issues, most recently with fentanyl being brought into the US from some of these cartels. Some of the more well-known cartels in Mexico are the Sinaloa Cartel and the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG).

As of February 20, 2025, the United States Government has classified these cartels and other organized crime groups as terrorist organizations. Many disagree with this designation, arguing that the cartels aren't on the same level as other terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda. Still, the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, maintains, “The groups pose a risk to US national security, foreign policy, and economic interests.”

Most of the country suspected the CJNG had to be a part of the extermination camp as they are notorious for committing these heinous acts throughout the area of Jalisco. Shortly after the discovery of the camp, the CJNG responded with a video where they essentially claimed that they had nothing to do with it.

The Buscadores Guerreros de Jalisco Collective (the group that discovered the camp) continues to point the finger at CJNG, blaming them for the camp and all the horrific acts that allegedly happened there.

Despite the back-and-forth, the cartel or group that committed the crimes that fill this extermination camp has yet to be found. Meanwhile, various other powerful cartels and narcos are being heavily targeted and accused of running this camp, which makes finding those responsible nearly impossible as fingers are being pointed everywhere, resulting in a lack of trust and confidence in any group’s claims.

To add further fuel to the fire, a couple of days ago, a popular band, “Los Alegres del Barranco,” was the subject of backlash for showing photos of the CJNG’s alleged leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as El Mencho, at a concert in Guadalajara, Jalisco, while performing the song “El Del Palenque”. According to several sources, the band got their visas revoked for performing the song about him and the CJNG and showing photos of him while singing it. The band has already come out with a statement where they apologized for showing those photos and made sure to make it clear that they don't condone any of the things these organized crime groups do, adding that they essentially just make stories into songs and have no further involvement. Will this apology video be a step toward getting their visas back, or will they be barred from performing in America ever again?

The security of the U.S., which has been getting tighter regarding trying to shut down the smuggling of narcotics as the “War on Drugs,” continues and further escalates with these recent issues. Rumors, stories, and consistent pop culture references that praise and celebrate these cartels only add fuel to the flame. In this moment of political uncertainty and increased tensions, the question remains whether the cartel’s power will grow or if there will be relief and an eventual end to this violence, smuggling, and corruption.