Feb 24 • 09:36 UTC 🇲🇽 Mexico El Financiero (ES)

'I thought I wasn't going to return home': Ruth, searching mother, narrates 'terror' of CJNG after the death of 'Mencho'

Ruth, a mother searching for her missing daughter, recounts the terror she faced from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) amidst violence following the death of its leader, 'Mencho'.

Ruth, a 57-year-old mother from Mexico, is searching for her missing daughter Noemí, whose belongings were found earlier this year. During her quest, she found herself caught in a shootout on a Sunday following the reported death of Nemesio Oseguera, known as 'El Mencho', the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). She vividly describes the paralyzing fear she experiences—living with the knowledge of her daughter's disappearance and the constant threat of violence in her environment.

Despite being surrounded by death and fear, Ruth does not harbor hatred towards 'El Mencho' or the cartel's leaders, expressing that she is not one to celebrate anyone's death and instead characterizes the situation in Mexico as a tragedy. Her narrative highlights the complex emotions and struggles faced by families like hers, who are torn by loss and violence perpetrated by organized crime. Even with the authorities concluding that her daughter was likely killed by a cartel member, Ruth remains steadfast in her search.

The implications of Ruth's story extend beyond personal tragedy; it reflects the broader crisis affecting many families caught in Mexico's ongoing struggle with powerful drug cartels. Her experience sheds light on the trauma faced by those left behind, often overshadowed by larger narratives about cartel violence. The Mexican government continues to grapple with how to address the rampant crime, and stories like Ruth's are crucial in understanding the human cost of this ongoing battle against organized crime.

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