Cartel's Denial and Public Relations Strategy
The Jalisco New Generation cartel released a video denying involvement in forced recruitment or killings at a site where searchers found evidence of crimes, aiming to counter negative publicity.
Security analyst believes the video serves to clean the cartel's image, leveraging a public relations strategy often used by cartels to portray themselves as protectors.
Searchers' Response and Authorities' Actions
Search group member Angélica criticized the cartel's video as an attempt to deflect responsibility, highlighting the lack of protection and support from authorities for families searching for the disappeared.
Jalisco State Prosecutor Salvador González admitted previous investigations were "insufficient," and the federal Attorney General's Office is now taking over the investigation at the request of President Claudia Sheinbaum.