Key takeaways from recent reports:

• Mexico's attorney general admits flaws in the investigation of a site in Jalisco where human remains and personal items were discovered.
• The site, dubbed the "ranch of horror," raises alarming questions about cartel violence and systematic extermination.
• Families of the missing demand transparency and accountability in the ongoing investigations while dealing with a history of unresolved cases.

MEXICO CITY, March 20 (Reuters) - The investigation into a ranch in the western state of Jalisco, referred to as the "ranch of horror," has prompted outrage as Mexico's attorney general, Alejandro Gertz Manero, denounces irregularities in the initial investigation by state authorities. The site, located about 40 miles from Guadalajara, was uncovered by activist search groups who discovered bone fragments, ashes, and personal belongings, suggesting it was used by cartels for systematic violence and possibly as a killing camp (source: Reuters).

During a recent press conference, Gertz revealed that local authorities in Jalisco had been aware of the site for months but failed to alert federal officials or to properly collect and preserve evidence. He emphasized, “The truth will come out” regarding the grim discoveries at the ranch, which is linked to the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (source: South China Morning Post).

The Jalisco ranch has become a focal point in the ongoing crisis of forced disappearances in Mexico, which have left over 124,000 people unaccounted for. Activists have raised concerns that the government's handling of the investigation reflects a broader issue of impunity surrounding cartel violence. Many families searching for missing loved ones, like Irma Gonzalez, who identified items belonging to her son, expressed fears for their safety as they seek the truth (source: Reuters).

As families gathered outside the ranch, hoping for answers, tensions escalated. These emotional gatherings underscored the immense frustration felt by those affected by the ongoing violence and the seemingly slow progress of investigations. Activists criticized the authorities for restricting access to the site and mishandling the investigation, which they say lacks transparency and urgency. Gertz confirmed that federal prosecutors will now take the lead on the inquiry to ensure that all avenues are explored, including possible links between local officials and organized crime (source: CBS News).

The alleged site of systematic abuse has created public backlash not only against the cartel but also against government officials tasked with ensuring safety and justice. Gertz's comments hint at a broader commitment to addressing the issues that have plagued this region in the past, although many remain skeptical given the history of violence and governmental inaction (source: CBS News).

For more detailed information, please refer to the original articles: Reuters and South China Morning Post.