In Mexico, estimated close to 400,000 people are believed to have been displaced by organized crime — a phenomenon that remains largely invisible. Authorities are struggling to deal with the crisis and sometimes even complicit with the gangs.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00This family from northern Mexico had to abandon their home and land for two years
00:06in the face of the brutality of organized crime in their community, Palmas Altas.
00:12Almost all of its 300 inhabitants left.
00:17Disappearing people.
00:21They were taking people away in the early mornings.
00:26One night they were very close to here.
00:29We could hear a lot of noise.
00:31Doors being banged.
00:33Crashing garage gates.
00:36We were very scared.
00:40In 2021, thousands of people fled Zacatecas, leaving around 20 ghost towns.
00:46People in Ermita de Correa fled in just two days.
00:51Gerardo narrowly escaped being recruited by criminal gangs.
00:57You take only what you need.
01:01Some changes of clothing.
01:03Everything else you leave.
01:08You must stay alert, take care of yourself, always take precautions and not venture out
01:14at night unless you must.
01:18While fear and distrust of the authorities remains, a military operation allowed most
01:24people to return to their homes in 2023.
01:28The National Guard, Army, State Police and Special Forces fought hand-to-hand with criminals
01:35to drive them out.
01:40Rodrigo Reyes, a local government leader, admits that some law enforcement officers
01:46had been working alongside the criminal gangs.
01:51We've purged the state police.
01:57It was a big job, as every police officer is certified and must have security clearance.
02:06It's estimated that close to 400,000 Mexicans have had to leave their homes because of violence,
02:12but it remains a largely invisible phenomenon.
02:16Officers strive to heal the wounds by covering the bullet holes spattered across the church.
02:22There were gunshots and explosions in the field in front of the church.
02:35Young girls playing basketball took refuge here.
02:42A territory emptied by bullets and recovered by those who always cared for it and worked
02:48the land.