Mass graves containing 227 human remains found near World Cup stadium in Zapopan

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A clandestine mass grave known as ‘Las Agujas’ contained 227 bags of human remains, discovered in Zapopan, a hub for the Jalisco cartel. Activists, particularly the Guerreros Buscadores collective, have been searching the area for victims of gang violence and have found multiple graves near Akron Stadium, where World Cup games are scheduled to take place. In activities throughout the region, at least 500 bags of remains have been reported as discovered in recent months.

The clandestine mass grave known as ‘Las Agujas’ in Zapopan contained 227 bags of human remains, with concerns about gang violence increasing as Guadalajara prepares to host FIFA World Cup games. According to Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, there is “complete confidence in Mexico, in its president, Claudia Sheinbaum, and in the authorities” despite the recent surge in cartel-related violence. Activists from the Guerreros Buscadores collective have been searching the region, uncovering numerous bags and personal belongings believed to belong to victims of gang violence.

The clandestine grave known as ‘Las Agujas’ contained 227 bags of human remains, discovered just months before Guadalajara is set to host FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures. Activists from the collective Guerreros Buscadores have been actively searching for victims, having uncovered several mass graves and reported the retrieval of at least 500 bags of human remains. FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, has expressed confidence in the ability of Mexico, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, to ensure the World Cup events proceed smoothly despite the ongoing violence.

What we know so far

Cartel mass graves discovered near city due to host World Cup games | News World

Aerial view of the site where the clandestine grave known as
Clandestine mass grave known as ‘Las Agujas’ contained 227 bags of human remains, discovered near the World Cup stadium in Zapopan, a hub for the Jalisco cartel (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Several mass graves have been discovered in the Mexican city that will host the Fifa World Cup games within months.

All eyes are on Jalisco after the high-profile killing of drug lord ‘El Mencho’ in the western Mexican state earlier this week.

Fear of further violence hangs in the air just months before Guadalajara is set to welcome football fans as it co-hosts World Cup 2026 fixtures.

Heavily armed gangs could launch indiscriminate attacks as they compete for control of the lucrative drug trade following a never-ending cycle of violence. The drug war in Mexico has led to the killing and disappearance of tens of thousands of people every year.

Guerreros Buscadores' located three human crematoriums while searching for their relatives in Teuchitlan, Jalisco state, Mexico
Activists found hundreds of shoes, bags and clothes believed to have been taken from victims of gang violence before they were killed and buried in the makeshift graves at the ‘extermination’ site (Picture: Facebook/Guerreros Buscadores De Jalisco )

Many of the disappeared will remain missing forever, while some have been discovered in several mass graves.

Guadalajara has seen a steady string of grim discoveries, and the region is one of the hardest hit by the violence epidemic.

One of them was reportedly unearthed within a 10-mile radius of Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, the home turf for the infamous Jalisco cartel, and where four games are due to be played soon.

People looking for their loved ones have reportedly found at least a dozen such graves within a 10-mile radius of the stadium, according to El País English.

The first one was in February, when construction workers building homes in Las Agujas found a plastic bag with human remains.

In the lead-up to Christmas, the volunteer search teams said they had already counted at least 500 bags.

Carmen Meza (L) and Virginia Ponce, members of the ‘Manos Buscadoras’ (Searching Hands) collective, where a mass grave was found in search of their brother and son near Akron Stadium, Zapopan, in the Guadalajara metropolitan area, hosting World Cup games soon (Picture: AFP/Getty)

And in March last year, activists searching for victims of gang violence found a grave site outside a property in Teuchitlan, Jalisco.

Footage from the site showed hundreds of pairs of shoes along with clothing, backpacks and other items thought to have belonged to victims of kidnappings and killings.

Activists, like the collective Guerreros Buscadores (Warrior Searchers in English), scour Jalisco for any sign of clandestine graves, and they were the ones to discover the Teuchitlan site dubbed an ‘extermination camp’ after an anonymous tip-off.

In October last year, up to 48 bags containing human remains were dug up from another mass grave in Guadalajara.

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One of the largest-ever mass graves was identified in Veracruz in 2017, containing more than 250 human skulls. The remains, believed to be those killed in a cartel turf war, were discovered after efforts by a group of mothers and relatives of the missing.

El Mencho, whose real name is Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, was killed during an attempt to capture him after his lover was reportedly tracked to locate him.

At least 73 people were killed in fighting between the security forces, suspected cartel members and others during the raid.

Fifa’s boss, Gianni Infantino, has assured that Mexico can co-host the games despite the surge in cartel violence.

He said that the football body has ‘complete confidence in Mexico, in its president, Claudia Sheinbaum, and in the authorities, and we are convinced that everything will go as smoothly as possible.’

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