Guadalajara hosts World Cup amid unresolved crisis of missing persons
Original framing: “Guadalajara apuesta al Mundial mientras persiste la crisis de desaparecidos” — Bloomberg
The crisis of missing persons in Mexico has deep roots in the militarization of public security since the 2006 'war on drugs.' Similar patterns of state violence and impunity can be traced back to the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre and even further to colonial-era practices of forced disappearance and cultural erasure.
The crisis of missing persons in Guadalajara is not an isolated tragedy but a systemic failure rooted in historical violence, institutional corruption, and cultural erasure.
The World Cup, while a moment of global attention, risks becoming a distraction from the urgent need for justice and accountability. By integrating Indigenous memory practices, supporting grassroots efforts, and leveraging international platforms for reform, Mexico can begin to address the deep wounds of its past. The interplay of artistic expression, scientific inquiry, and cross-cultural perspectives reveals that truth-telling is not only a legal or political act but a deeply human one. Only through a systemic, inclusive, and historically grounded approach can the question '¿dónde están?' be answered with dignity and justice.