**Activist Ceci Flores’ “Madre Buscadora” Wins Book of the Year Award**
The book titled “Madre Buscadora, Chronicle of Desperation,” detailing the poignant journey of activist Cecilia Patricia Flores Armenta, has been awarded the prestigious “Book of the Year” by the Mexican National Chamber of the Publishing Industry (CANIEM). Flores, president of the collective “Madres Buscadoras de Sonora,” conveys in the book the heart-wrenching story of her search for her missing sons. Her eldest disappeared in 2015, followed by the second in 2019, both of whom remain unlocated.
Ceci Flores took to social media to express her gratitude for the recognition, acknowledging the painful reality captured in her narrative. She shares, “My book won the ‘Book of the Year’ award. Thanks to everyone who voted; you make me feel that it’s worth reliving all this pain. I will celebrate by gifting my book to those operating BOTs so they understand the reality we fight against.”
Flores’ book not only recounts her personal tragedies but also discusses the collective plight of families united in the search for their disappeared loved ones. Her transition from a mother and wife to a brave pioneer in activism started thanks to the mentoring of Mirna Nereyda Medina Quiñonez, president of another search group, “Las Rastreadoras de Sinaloa.” Flores highlights the impactful lesson learned – that family alone is often the most driven to search for the missing.
The organization, under her leadership, has located over 2,700 deceased individuals found in clandestine graves and reunited more than 2,300 living people with their families. Their efforts have extended across several Mexican states and even into the United States, all in hopes of finding her sons. Among their many discoveries was a clandestine crematorium and numerous other burial sites.
Despite threats and being forced to relocate, Flores continues her fight protected by human rights mechanisms. Her continued bravery illuminates a grim reality, as Mexico currently has over 117,000 missing persons according to national registries.
**More on Ceci Flores’ Impact and Recent Developments**
Aside from the book’s success, Ceci Flores’ ongoing mission highlights efforts across borders, raising awareness about the immense issue of disappearances in Mexico. Recently, her collective found a site containing numerous human remains in Sonora. These findings shed light on the depths of the crisis, as clandestine burial sites continue to be discovered yearly, illustrating the scale and the systemic nature of the violence tied to these disappearances.
Her work emphasizes the dire need for governmental accountability and support for families affected by these losses. This year, her collective uncovered several mass graves, further supporting calls for policy changes and more significant resources directed towards resolving these cases of enforced disappearances.
As the book gains international attention, Flores hopes it will inspire a more profound dialogue about the human rights crisis and garner support for the families still seeking justice and closure for their missing loved ones.