Mexico’s Disappeared

Families of 43 students who “disappeared” in Guerrero State in Mexico spend their time praying at the college the students attended. They also worry and wonder about the whereabouts of the students, who were shot at by police in late September and subsequently abducted from a bus. Mass graves containing charred human remains were found shortly thereafter. The disappearance on Sept. 26 of so many students in Iguala has sparked international outrage and soul-searching among many Mexicans. Stoking the indignation have been the accusations against Iguala police, who allegedly acted in concert with criminals. The abductions counter claims by President Enrique Peña Nieto that crime is on the decline and that there’s a “Mexico at peace.” It also follows accusations that soldiers summarily executed 22 individuals in the town of Tlatlaya.

This article appears in October 27 2014.