**Over 20,000 People Missing in Baja California, Says Activist**
In Baja California, there are reportedly more than 20,000 people currently missing, according to Angélica Ramírez, the leader of the activist group “Una Nación Buscando T.” During a discussion held at the Northwest Station of Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM), Ramírez shared that the most recent figures from the State’s General Prosecutor’s Office reported 17,200 missing persons up until 2022. However, analysts, human rights defenders, and civil organizations suggest that by 2024, this number had already surpassed 20,000. This increase is attributed to factors such as migration, labor dynamics, the influx of tourists, and people displaced by violence.
Ramírez explained that many individuals who come to this border seeking a new life simply vanish. Some cases go unreported as families may believe their loved ones have moved to the United States, started a new relationship, or lost contact due to a misplaced phone. The organization “Una Nación Buscando T” actively conducts search efforts to find individuals who may still be alive, emphasizing that not all disappearances indicate foul play—many people are struggling with addiction and living on the streets.
In response to these troubling figures, the collective and similar organizations have initiated field searches in hopes of reuniting families and reducing the number of disappearances.
**Additional Information: Disappearances in Baja California**
Recent reports highlight challenges in addressing the missing persons crisis in Baja California. Efforts to streamline processes for reporting and searching for missing individuals have been proposed, including establishing dedicated services for victims’ families. Human rights groups are advocating for the creation of a commission to oversee disappearances and ensure more diligent investigations.
Additionally, local authorities emphasize the need to support families and communities affected by this issue while managing other societal pressures like increased immigration, economic changes, and public safety concerns.
Proactive measures are being discussed, such as improving interagency cooperation, enhancing public awareness campaigns, and providing more resources for organizations focused on finding and assisting missing persons. With these steps, advocates hope to see a significant impact on the number of unresolved cases in the future.