Mexico criminal groups relocate recruited youths to avoid detection

Organized crime groups in Mexico are increasingly recruiting and relocating adolescents to various states to avoid drawing excessive attention to specific territories. In Jalisco, activists and security specialists report the existence of training camps in areas such as Puerto Vallarta and La Barca. To avoid “heating up the plaza,” these groups are reportedly moving recruited youths toward states including Zacatecas, Michoacán, and Nayarit.

Research from the University of Guadalajara suggests that the violent conflict in Sinaloa is a primary driver of this phenomenon, creating a domino effect across a corridor stretching from Michoacán to Baja California. Data from the National Registry of Missing and Unlocated Persons indicates a rise in missing minors aged 12 to 17. Specifically, cases in Sinaloa rose from 33 in previous years to 80 in the 2024-2025 period, while Jalisco saw an increase from 21 to 58 cases.

Experts highlight significant obstacles in addressing these crimes, citing a lack of coordination between local and interstate prosecutors and search commissions. Investigations are often hindered by slow, bureaucratic processes and a lack of effective judicial follow-up regarding the forced displacement of missing persons.