Jalisco adolescent disappearances highlight organized‑crime recruitment

State authorities in Jalisco have opened eight active investigations into the recent disappearances of teenagers aged 14 to 19 across several municipalities, including Zapopan, El Salto, Tonalá, Tlajomulco and others. The Vice‑Fiscalía Especializada en Personas Desaparecidas confirmed that at least two of the five recent cases appear to involve forced recruitment by criminal groups, while the remaining cases are linked to family‑related issues.

Families of the missing youths staged protests demanding faster investigations and stronger security measures. During the demonstrations, community leaders also criticized the new state law on missing persons, arguing that legal reforms will have little impact without improved public safety and an end to police collusion with organized crime. The government has pledged to enhance coordination among forensic, intelligence and search agencies, but activists warn that the pervasive influence of criminal networks continues to endanger minors.

The crisis reflects a broader pattern in Jalisco, where organized‑crime groups are increasingly targeting adolescents for recruitment, a trend officials are working to document and combat through inter‑state collaboration and expanded investigative resources.