In the heart of Jalisco state, a grim discovery has once again highlighted the brutality of drug cartels and the ongoing danger faced by Christians in conflict-ridden areas.
A Bible was found among shoes, clothes, watches, and other personal belongings at a site linked to organised crime in Jalisco. The discovery was widely shared on social media on 11 March, along with images depicting the site and its contents.
The Colectivo Guerreros Buscadores de Jalisco, a group dedicated to searching for missing persons in the region, reported the discovery of a ranch in Teuchitlán, located just over an hour from Guadalajara. According to authorities, the site was used as an extermination centre by the Jalisco Cartel – New Generation (CJNG). Investigators found crematorium ovens, clandestine graves, and human remains, confirming the site’s function in the forced disappearance of victims.
Abandoned Shoes, a Bible, and Photos of Children
One of the most striking images from the scene showed hundreds of abandoned shoes, presumably belonging to individuals who lost their lives at the site. Authorities also found altars to “Santa Muerta” (“Holy Death”) and evidence of ritualistic practices.
A Bible recovered at the location contained photographs of two children. It remains unclear whether these children were victims or if the photos belonged to an adult victim.
“These photos found at the Teuchitlán ranch may be a sign of hope for some family. A father or mother was carrying them; they were found inside a Bible. It moves us and fills us with sadness to think that the last thing this person may have seen was the photo of their child, praying to God, and pleading for their life so they could return and embrace their little one,” the collective shared on social media.
Authorities Fail to Act
This discovery has once again exposed the failure of authorities to act. The Jalisco Attorney General’s Office had inspected the ranch six months ago, in September 2024, and confirmed it was a CJNG extermination site, yet no thorough investigation or decisive action was taken. This inaction allowed the site to continue operating, further illustrating the impunity with which these criminal groups function.
Reports indicate that the ranch served not only as an execution site but also a training centre for new cartel recruits. Many of these recruits, often young men, are lured with false job offers before being coerced into organised crime.
The findings at the site highlights the continued presence and operations of organised crime in Mexico. It also underscores the ongoing threat faced by people living in affected areas, including Christians. For these criminal groups, the Christian faith can be seen as an obstacle—whether through pastors preaching against violence and injustice or the church’s social work to rescue young people from drug addiction and steer them away from criminal organisations.
Pray for Mexico
- Ask God to comfort all who have missing loved ones and who live with the heartache of the unknown.
- Ask God to protect His people living in areas with drug cartels and criminal gangs.
- Pray Psalm 23 and Psalm 91 over our Mexican brothers and sisters, that they will be strengthened with God’s courage, strength, and peace.
Stay updated with the latest prayer requests from the persecuted church.
