### “Don’t Forget Us”: March in Tijuana Marks International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
Around 200 people, accompanied by the collectives “We Are All Erick Carrillo” and “A Nation SearchingT,” gathered in Tijuana on August 30th to honor the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances and seek justice for their missing loved ones.
One poignant case is that of Servando Salazar Cano, whose disappearance has shaken the city. His wife, Wendy Bravo, marched in the event, sharing that Servando vanished on August 23rd after entering his workplace, Prime Wheel. “If we had a problem, he would have told me, but he wouldn’t leave his daughters. Servando doesn’t have any vices; he’s a good man, not troublesome. He’s the best dad for his daughters,” Wendy expressed, vowing to continue her search.
Another family, Alejandro Najera and Laura Leyva, have been looking after their granddaughters since their daughter, Alejandra Ibeth Najera Leyva, disappeared on December 22, 2022, from her home in Paseos de El Florido. With no advances from the prosecution, the family feels despair. “We’ve been searching for a year and eight months. Our only wish is to bring her back. Our eldest granddaughter even tells us to put up flyers to find her mom,” Laura said.
Yolanda Toscano and Dana Santoyo attended the march in memory of Germán Rafael Santoyo Toscano, who disappeared on August 21st in Tijuana. Despite finding his vehicle, Germán remains missing. Similarly, Rafael Rivera, who came to this march for the second consecutive year, is still searching for his mother, Martha Molina, who disappeared on May 7, 2023.
The march also saw Karla Cox, who has been searching since 2020 for Teresa Cox and Nora Pacheco, and Graciela, who is still seeking her daughter, Flor Aguilar, who was last seen on February 17th in Tijuana.
This crisis extends beyond Tijuana; it plagues all of Baja California. Erick Carrillo, president of the collective “We Are All Erick Carrillo,” emphasized the severity: “Every day we get 10 to 15 calls for help. Tijuana stands out, but Mexicali, Tecate, Rosarito, San Quintín—all municipalities are experiencing a crisis of disappearances. There’s corruption, impunity, and no justice.”
Starting at Cuauhtémoc Glorieta, the march proceeded to the Monument to Mexico and finally to the State Attorney General’s Office, demanding stronger investigative efforts and justice for the missing.
### Secondary Article: Marches Across Baja California Commemorate Victims of Enforced Disappearances
In Baja California Sur, hundreds of people took to the streets on August 30th, joining the global observance of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. From La Paz to Cabo San Lucas, families carried photographs of their loved ones, chanting for justice and accountability. The demonstrations mirrored those in Tijuana, highlighting the regional scope of the issue and the collective demand for governmental action.
Similarly, in Ensenada, a significant turnout was seen during their march. “We want the authorities to know that we won’t stop until we find each one of our family members,” expressed a determined marcher. The events in Ensenada echoed the cries heard throughout Baja California, reflecting a united front against an epidemic of enforced disappearances.
Local authorities have acknowledged the gravity but affirmed they are committed to prioritizing these cases. Yet, for many, promises are not enough. “We demand concrete results, faster processes, and complete transparency,” said a spokesperson for an advocacy group. The consistent increase in disappearances continues to fuel frustration and resolve among those affected.
As Baja California continues to grapple with this issue, these marches not only serve as a call to action but as a reminder that the victims and their families demand and deserve justice.