Cancún March Demands Justice for Disappeared

Cancún, Mexico — In silence and with tape over their mouths bearing the word "justice," members of the collective Verdad, Memoria y Justicia and other organizations marched this Thursday from the Plaza de la Reforma to the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Disappeared Persons on Avenida Cobá. The demonstration denounced impunity and demanded effective searches, framed within the context of the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre.

During the march, families conducted simulated excavations at various points along Avenida Tulum, symbolizing the searches they themselves carry out due to a lack of action by the authorities.

Before the march began, the collective issued a statement linking the memory of October 2nd with the current crisis of disappearances in Quintana Roo. They recalled that the 1968 massacre was recognized as a state crime and that today, half a century later, impunity persists for the victims of disappearance.

"October 2nd is a reminder of the importance of not forgetting this event that marked Mexico, and to honor the victims, especially as our young people continue to be at high risk of being victims of forced disappearance in Mexico," they stated.

The spokesperson and founder of the collective, which represents 150 families, stated that their complaints have been ignored by the authorities. "Our complaints regarding forced disappearance and disappearance committed by private individuals lack the investigation needed to lead us to locate our loved ones," she affirmed.

The statement included a public call to the three levels of government in Quintana Roo, as well as to the state's Attorney General, Raciel López Salazar. They demanded the integration of a specialized intelligence group within the Investigative Police, staffed with technical and professional personnel to apply standardized search protocols.

They also demanded access to information on forensic identification, the number of bodies without a genetic profile, and remains held in the state forensic morgue. They requested the state government to immediately replace the leadership of the State Search Commission, considering that the current administration has incurred serious omissions.

They demanded that the XVII Legislature discuss and approve the initiative for a law on forced disappearance and disappearance committed by private individuals, as well as guarantee an open parliament with the participation of collectives.

"Today, October 2nd, we as relatives live this reality of impunity, of silence, of omissions and negligence. The parallel that exists is justice, justice for each one of us, and from that time we know that justice has not arrived, but we demand it," they expressed.

The march culminated in front of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office, where the mothers and relatives broke their silence with chants such as "Neither forgiveness nor oblivion" and "Justice!" The mobilization caused partial road closures on Tulum and Cobá avenues, under the supervision of municipal police officers.