### Families Fear Retaliation: Reluctance to Report Missing Loved Ones Remains High
In 2024, the Baja California State Attorney General’s Office has received nearly a thousand reports of missing persons, though advocacy groups argue the actual number is much higher. On a recent Friday, search collectives held a march in Zona Río, Tijuana, to draw attention to this ongoing issue.
Hilda Teresa Padilla Fox and Nora Pacheco Becerra, both 23, vanished on the night of August 24, 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. They had left their home in pajamas. Nora earned her living selling homemade puddings door-to-door, while Hilda worked at an optical store in the city center.
Karla Fox, Hilda’s mother, shared the anguish of the last four years, questioning what became of the two young women. “We’ve been living in a nightmare, unable to grieve or find closure. My children, grandchildren, the entire family, and friends have all been affected,” she said.
Karla criticized the authorities for their lack of transparency and ineffective actions, particularly regarding the tracking of her daughter-in-law’s phone, data she never received. For three years, the State Attorney General’s office offered little progress, merely stating the investigation was ongoing.
It wasn’t until last year that the attorney general’s office issued a search bulletin. Despite the formal reports, advocacy groups point out that many cases go unreported due to families’ fear of retaliation. The director of the State’s Missing Persons Unit, Fidel Cordera Gutiérrez, revealed that out of the thousand cases reported in 2024, 650 individuals were located, but the rest remain missing.
Notably, many cases involve minors who voluntarily leave home due to family conflicts or romantic relationships, which are swiftly resolved. Yet, for the majority of missing persons, fear prevents families from seeking official help. Instead, they turn to social media or advocacy collectives.
Fernando Ocegueda Flores, founder of the Unidos por los Desaparecidos de Baja California in 2008, noted the substantial rise in disappearances across Mexico. He highlighted how public protests and the formation of new search collectives reflect this troubling trend. In 2018, there were only two such collectives in Baja California; today, there are 49.
Ocegueda emphasized that the government’s official statistics often don’t match the on-the-ground reality, a discrepancy highlighted by the growing number of collectives. This rise is also evident in areas like San Quintín and San Felipe, which previously had no such groups. He added that despite the federal government’s attempt to create a National Registry of Missing Persons, the initiative remains incomplete.
Roberto Quijano Sosa, head of the Baja California Public Safety Citizen Council, underscored that family violence and disappearances are the state’s most pressing concerns. He lamented the lack of official data, explaining that both threats and extortions are rarely reported, making them difficult to prosecute.
Quijano Sosa pointed out that most victims know their perpetrators, adding to the fear of reporting, which only perpetuates these crimes. He stressed the importance of bringing visibility to these issues, as ignoring them would be detrimental to addressing the crisis.
### Additional Article: Increasing Disappearance Cases and Community Response
In recent news, the situation surrounding missing persons in Baja California continues to escalate. Nine drivers from transportation platforms have vanished this year alone, further amplifying concerns among the public and authorities.
Additionally, the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances saw hundreds of people marching in Tijuana. Families of individuals like Servando Salazar and Germán Santoyo were notably present, pushing for justice and transparency in ongoing investigations.
Acting State Attorney General Juan Manuel Andrade Ramírez has stated that significant advancements have been made in several high-profile cases, such as the disappearance of Servando Salazar. Investigations have included thorough reviews within companies like Prime Wheel and detailed interviews with colleagues and management.
This collective outpouring of grief and demand for action underscores the community’s urgent need for answers and effective measures to combat the growing crisis of disappearances in the region.