### Fear of Retaliation Stalls Reporting of Missing Persons in Baja California
In Baja California, the disappearance of individuals has become a growing concern, mirrored by the rise in search collectives. The State’s Office of the Attorney General (FGE) has registered nearly 1,000 missing person reports so far in 2024. However, search collectives argue that the actual number is much higher.
On August 31, 2024, search collectives marched in Zona Río to demand action and remember those who have disappeared. Among the missing are Hilda Teresa Padilla Fox and Nora Pacheco Becerra, both 23, who vanished on the night of August 24, 2020. The two young women disappeared during the COVID-19 pandemic after leaving their home in pajamas. Nora was known for selling homemade flans around Tijuana, and Hilda worked at an optician’s shop in the city center.
Karla Fox, Hilda’s mother, has faced uncertainty and grief over the past four years. Despite persistent efforts to get information from the FGE, she was often met with vague responses and instructed to return home. It wasn’t until the previous year that the FGE issued a search notice for Hilda. Karla criticized the authorities for their inactivity, particularly when they failed to provide the tracking data of her daughter-in-law’s phone.
According to Fidel Cordera Gutiérrez, Director of the Specialized Units for Missing Persons in the state, of the nearly 1,000 cases reported in 2024, around 650 individuals have been found. Nonetheless, the remaining cases continue to weigh heavily on families.
Fernando Ocegueda Flores, founder of “United for the Disappeared of Baja California,” noted that most families avoid reporting disappearances due to fear of reprisals. They often resort to social media or search collectives instead. Adding to the concern, Roberto Quijano Sosa of the Baja California Citizens’ Council for Public Security stated that the rise in family violence and disappearances is deeply alarming, and the lack of official data due to underreporting complicates efforts to address the issue.
There are now 49 active search collectives in Baja California, up from just two in 2018. The formation of new collectives in municipalities like San Quintín and San Felipe illustrates the growing crisis. However, attempts by the federal government to compile a National Registry of the Disappeared remain incomplete.
### Secondary Article: Growing Organ Trafficking Concerns Amid Disappearances in Mexico
As disappearances surge, alarming news has emerged about an increase in organ trafficking in Mexico. The National Search Commission has reported a concerning trend where some missing individuals are alleged victims of organ harvesting schemes. This has added another layer of urgency and complexity to the already dire situation.
The international organization, Human Rights Watch, has urged the Mexican government to strengthen investigative measures and improve coordination between state and federal authorities. Families continue to face bureaucratic impediments and occasional corruption within the system, further eroding their trust in law enforcement.
A recent case in Jalisco involved uncovering an illegal operation that linked several missing persons to a black market for organs. The discovery has led to nationwide appeals for better oversight and stricter penalties for those involved in such heinous activities.
This escalation underscores the dire need for comprehensive reforms to protect the vulnerable and bring justice to those suffering from the disappearance of loved ones. The collective and coordinated efforts of NGOs, government bodies, and international organizations are essential to tackle this multifaceted issue.
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