Mexico’s capital tops nation in enforced disappearances: Report

MEXICO CITY

Mexico’s capital now accounts for the highest number of enforced disappearance cases in the country, according to a report released Thursday by a think tank.

The study by Mexico Evalua highlights the evolution of lethal violence in Mexico and emphasizes the role of enforced disappearances in understanding the nation's ongoing insecurity.

The think tank found that in the first seven months of 2025, Mexico City reported 1,306 disappeared persons -- placing it first in the country for such cases.

“Mexico City is on the verge of shifting from a moderate situation to a very negative one. The volume of disappearances in the capital suggests a deterioration in the capabilities of the public prosecutors’ offices and an escalation of the conflict between local criminal groups and new organizations,” the report said.

Trailing behind Mexico City, the State of Mexico ranks second with 1,210 reported disappearances during the same period.

Sinaloa, in northwestern Mexico, is third with 585 cases. The state has been gripped by ongoing violence as the Sinaloa Cartel endures an internal war between its two leading factions for control of the territory.

The study also revealed anomalies in government-reported violence indicators, suggesting possible underreporting of actual homicide cases across the country.

For instance, first-degree murders fell by 16.4% when comparing data from January to July 2025 with the same period in 2024. However, other lethal crimes -- such as femicides -- increased by 2.6%, while enforced disappearances surged by 12.9%.

Compared to 2019, enforced disappearances rose by 69.5% during the same time frame.

Mexico is facing a humanitarian crisis related to enforced disappearances, with over 120,000 cases officially reported.