Mexico reports significant discrepancy in clandestine grave findings

A major discrepancy has emerged between federal and state records regarding the number of clandestine graves discovered in Mexico during 2025. According to a joint investigation by Data Cívica, Artículo 19, and the Universidad Iberoamericana Human Rights Program, state prosecutors documented 651 clandestine graves across 16 entities. In contrast, the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) reported only 32 findings across six states.

Sonora recorded the highest number of state-level findings with 204 graves, followed by Chihuahua with 85, and both Baja California Sur and Jalisco with 71 each. Notably, Sonora, Chihuahua, Baja California Sur, and Sinaloa—which together accounted for 410 findings—did not appear in the FGR’s reported list. Even in states where both authorities recorded findings, such as Jalisco, Michoacán, and Guerrero, the state figures significantly exceeded federal reports.

The investigation suggests the gap may stem from differences in information sources and a lack of clarity on how state records are integrated into federal data, rather than deliberate concealment. Researchers also noted that eleven states failed to provide useful public information, hindering the ability to fully document the scale of the issue.