Wife Identifies Missing Husband’s Belongings at Alleged Cartel Ranch in Mexico
The recent discovery of personal items belonging to Rubi Cruz’s missing husband at a suspected cartel ranch illustrates the ongoing crisis of forced recruitment in Mexico, where over 127,000 people are missing. This article emphasizes the emotional toll on families like Cruz’s and highlights broader issues of violence and disappearances linked to drug trafficking cartels. Amidst these tragedies, families continue to seek answers and hope for the return of their loved ones.
The tragic case of Rubi Cruz, whose husband Fermin Hernandez went missing after being kidnapped by gunmen in 2021, highlights the devastating impact of drug cartel violence in Mexico. Recently, Cruz identified her husband’s belongings, including a shirt and wallet, at a suspected cartel recruitment ranch in Jalisco, instilling fear that he may have fallen victim to forced recruitment practices. Jalisco state has seen a staggering number of over 127,000 people reported missing, mainly young men targeted by gangs seeking to bolster their ranks.
Cruz shared her immense heartache when she identified her husband’s items among those discovered at the Izaguirre Ranch. “I felt a lot of pain, a lot of sadness,” she expressed, proving the deep emotional toll that such violence inflicts on families. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, designated a terrorist organization, reportedly attracts new recruits through false job offers, coercively training them to become part of their criminal enterprise.
Veronica Cruz (unrelated to Rubi) fears her teenage son Robert Reyes is another victim of a cartel’s forced recruitment. After disappearing while seeking work in Jalisco, Robert communicated distressing news to his family that he was coerced into a violent life. “I’m a hitman… If I don’t get out of here, I’ll watch over you from heaven,” he was quoted, revealing the tragic reality faced by many youths entangled in cartel violence.
Despite government efforts to combat recruitment tactics, social media remains a platform for cartels to advertise job opportunities that mask the horrific truths behind them. Jorge Ramirez, a researcher, notes that many victims are often impoverished young individuals without educational resources, making them susceptible to gang influence. Cruz remains hopeful of finding her husband alive, while Veronica seeks answers, despite losing faith in a just conclusion.
The escalating violence has led to the discovery of multiple mass graves and increased reports of disappearances linked to cartel activity. Recent findings include both mass graves containing numerous bodies and disturbing accounts of victims being incinerated to obliterate evidence. The horrors faced by families searching for their loved ones continue to cast a long shadow over the region as they grapple with despair and loss.
In summary, the plight of Rubi Cruz and Veronica Cruz reveals the heart-wrenching impact of cartel violence and the widespread issue of forced recruitment of young individuals in Mexico. Despite government interventions, tragic stories continue to emerge, shedding light on a critical humanitarian crisis. The ongoing search for missing persons illustrates the profound loss experienced by countless families, who yearn for closure amidst a climate of fear and violence.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
