# 457 Missing: Government Ignores Citizen Demands
### By Antonio Cervantes, September 24, 2024 – TJGringo.com
In the three years of Governor Víctor Castro’s administration, the National Registry of Missing and Unlocated Persons reports 457 citizens who remain missing in Baja California Sur.
A closer inspection of the data reveals that 229 individuals remain missing in Los Cabos, 169 in La Paz, 14 in Mulegé, 10 in Comondú, 3 in Loreto, and 20 who do not belong to any specific municipality. Additionally, 12 individuals are also without a designated municipality, potentially linked to unidentified bodies found in clandestine graves.
The Baja California Sur government has been criticized for only searching for clandestine graves, neglecting efforts to recover missing individuals alive within the critical first 72 hours outlined by the “Unified Protocol for the Search of Missing Persons.”
Governor Castro controversially addressed search groups, suggesting that the government is not responsible for the disappearances, prompting backlash from citizen collectives. He minimizes the urgency and importance of adhering to established protocols.
The official agreement SNBP/002/2020, published on October 6, 2020 in the Federal Official Gazette, mandates five types of search operations:
1. Immediate (following the person’s trail straight away)
2. Individualized (using advanced techniques)
3. By patterns (grouping similar cases)
4. Generalized (comparing databases and field searches)
5. Family (locating family members of missing or deceased persons)
Search groups assert that efforts have been limited to generalized searches, neglecting victim and family safety. Collective members condemn Governor Castro’s attitude, highlighting multiple failures in applying investigative protocols.
On June 21, 2024, search groups sent a letter to various authorities outlining government failures in following through with investigative protocols and emphasizing the victim’s rights under the General Law of Victims.
The governor denied receiving this letter despite it reaching several offices, including the State Government, Congress, and the National and State Commissions for Missing Persons. In a tense exchange with search group representative Iris Manríquez, Governor Castro acknowledged the families’ substantial role in locating clandestine graves.
### Key Demands by Search Collectives:
1. Urgent establishment of the State Victim Assistance System.
2. Revival of meetings for the State Coordination Mechanism on Disappearance of Persons.
3. Visible and active involvement of the State Citizen Council constituted by the Legislative Power.
4. Restructuring of the Victims’ Assistance Law for Baja California Sur.
Governor Castro’s dismissive statements have fueled the frustration of search collectives. They argue that government response remains inadequate and call for immediate improvements in the investigative process and victim support.
### Secondary Article:
## Record Number of Missing Persons in Mexico as Government Faces Criticism
In recent months, Mexico has observed a surge in reported missing persons, triggering both national and international pressure on authorities. With the number surpassing 100,000 cases, families of the disappeared demand stringent measures and enhanced government accountability.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have highlighted systemic issues within Mexico’s law enforcement and judicial systems, urging comprehensive reforms. The advocates call for the rigorous application of the National Search System and robust action against enforced disappearances.
Recent reports indicate that a significant proportion of these disappearances are linked to organized crime, with notable spikes in states like Michoacán, Guerrero, and Veracruz. Despite the government’s claims of intensifying efforts, families and activists argue that results remain dishearteningly limited.
The Mexican government has introduced various measures, such as creating specialized search units and increasing funding for forensic infrastructure. However, criticism persists over the perceived lack of urgency and effectiveness. As families of the disappeared continue to rally and demand justice, the spotlight remains firmly on the government’s response to this escalating crisis.