Rising Crisis: 320 People Missing in Quintana Roo as Year Closes

Quintana Roo, a region in Mexico, continues to grapple with a worrying trend of disappearances. As per the National Registry of Missing and Non-Located People, from January 1 to December 15, 2024, 320 individuals were reported missing and remain unlocated. Tragically, an additional 22 reported missing were found deceased within the same timeframe.

The municipality of Benito Juarez, which encompasses Cancun, has the highest number of unresolved cases with 161 people still missing, comprising 108 men and 53 women. This troubling statistic underscores the escalating insecurity and violence plaguing the area, often linked to criminal activity.

The municipality of Solidaridad follows with 65 unlocated individuals (40 men and 25 women), trailed by Othón P. Blanco with 32 (23 men and 9 women). Tulum reported 15 cases (13 men and 2 women), while Felipe Carrillo Puerto has 13 missing men. Bacalar recorded 12 disappearances (11 men and 1 woman), Lazaro Cardenas accounted for 6 (4 men and 2 women), Cozumel reported 3 missing men, Puerto Morelos 4 people (2 men and 2 women), and Isla Mujeres a single missing man. Additionally, six men and two women were reported missing from unknown municipalities within the state.

The ongoing crisis of disappearances in Quintana Roo extends beyond mere statistics. It reflects the despair and impunity faced by families in their quest to find their missing loved ones. The official figures could potentially be higher, given the unreported cases stemming from fear, distrust of authorities, or lack of resources to pursue justice.

Collective groups searching for missing individuals have repeatedly criticized the lack of effective action from state and municipal authorities. The discovery of 22 deceased individuals within the same period underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach that prioritizes life and human rights.

As long as the rate of disappearances continues to rise, insecurity and uncertainty will persist for Quintana Roo's residents. This situation highlights the need for decisive and effective action from the state government and the State Attorney General's Office.