Analysis of Government and Criminal Cooperation and Forced Displacement in Mexico

May 11, 2026, 18:15
Latin AmericaInternational

Introduction

Recent reports show a serious crisis in Mexico, marked by a high number of disappearances and the forced displacement of Indigenous people due to organized crime.

Main Body

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has recorded over 130,000 disappearances, mostly since the government began its campaign against drug trafficking. While criminal groups are the main attackers, the IACHR emphasized that many of these cases happen because government officials work together with organized crime. This problem affects both the police and political leaders. Furthermore, the tactics used by cartels today to terrify communities are similar to the state-sponsored disappearances that occurred in the 1960s and 70s. At the same time, the National Indigenous Congress reports that 800 to 1,000 families in Guerrero state were forced to leave their homes after attacks by the 'Los Ardillos' group. These criminals use powerful weapons and drones to bomb areas. Their goal is to destroy community police forces and force farmers to grow opium poppies. Consequently, data from Ibero University shows that internal displacement has increased significantly, rising from 12,600 people in 2023 to 28,900 in 2024. Government responses to these issues are controversial. President Claudia Sheinbaum has denied that the state is involved in forced disappearances and claimed that United Nations reports are biased. Moreover, the legal system is very inefficient; since 2014, only nine people have been convicted for disappearance-related crimes. Because of this lack of justice, families have started their own search groups, but these volunteers face great danger, with at least 27 deaths reported since 2010.

Conclusion

Mexico continues to face a humanitarian crisis caused by a lack of legal justice, cooperation between the state and criminals, and increasing violence against rural Indigenous communities.

Learning

πŸš€ Level Up: From Simple Sentences to B2 Flow

An A2 student says: "The government is bad. Criminals are bad. Many people leave their homes."

To reach B2, you need to show how things are connected. We do this using Complex Connectors and Passive Voice to sound more professional and objective.

πŸ› οΈ Tool 1: The "Logic Bridges"

Stop using and, but, because for everything. Look at how the article connects ideas to create a 'flow':

  • Instead of "And" β†’\rightarrow Use "Furthermore": ("This problem affects police... Furthermore, the tactics used by cartels...") β†’\rightarrow Use this when you want to add a second, more important point.
  • Instead of "So" β†’\rightarrow Use "Consequently": ("...force farmers to grow opium poppies. Consequently, data shows...") β†’\rightarrow Use this to show a direct result of an action.
  • Instead of "Also" β†’\rightarrow Use "Moreover": ("...reports are biased. Moreover, the legal system is very inefficient.") β†’\rightarrow Use this to strengthen an argument.

πŸ›‘οΈ Tool 2: The "Objective Perspective" (Passive Voice)

B2 speakers don't always say who did the action; they focus on what happened. This is essential for reports or news.

A2 Style: "The group forced 1,000 families to leave." (Active) B2 Style: "1,000 families were forced to leave." (Passive)

Why? Because the victims (the families) are more important than the criminals in this sentence.

Spot it in the text:

  • "...disappearances that occurred..."
  • "...only nine people have been convicted..."

πŸ’‘ Pro Tip for Fluency

Notice the phrase "marked by". Instead of saying "Mexico has a high number of disappearances," the author says "a serious crisis... marked by a high number of disappearances."

Try this pattern: [Situation] + marked by + [Specific Example] Example: "The city is marked by extreme pollution."

Vocabulary Learning

disappearances (n.)
the act of someone or something vanishing or being lost without a trace
Example:The disappearances of several activists were documented by the IACHR.
indigenous (adj.)
originating or belonging to a particular place or region, especially native peoples
Example:The Indigenous communities in Guerrero faced forced displacement.
organized crime (n.)
criminal activities carried out by structured groups that plan and execute illegal acts
Example:The government has been fighting organized crime for years.
campaign (n.)
a series of coordinated actions or operations aimed at achieving a specific goal
Example:The government launched a campaign against drug trafficking.
attackers (n.)
people who carry out an attack or assault
Example:Criminal groups are the main attackers in the region.
police (n.)
officials responsible for maintaining public order and enforcing laws
Example:The police were involved in responding to the attacks.
political leaders (n.)
individuals who hold positions of authority in government or politics
Example:Both the police and political leaders are affected by the crisis.
tactics (n.)
methods or strategies used to achieve a particular objective
Example:Cartels use tactics that terrify communities.
terrify (v.)
to fill with extreme fear or dread
Example:The cartels' tactics are designed to terrify residents.
state-sponsored (adj.)
supported, funded, or backed by a government
Example:The state-sponsored disappearances occurred in the 1960s.
displacement (n.)
the forced movement of people from their homes or usual places
Example:Internal displacement has increased significantly in recent years.
convicted (adj.)
found guilty of a crime in a court of law
Example:Only nine people have been convicted for disappearance-related crimes.
justice (n.)
the fair and lawful treatment of individuals, especially in legal matters
Example:The lack of legal justice fuels the crisis.
volunteers (n.)
people who offer their time or services without payment
Example:Families formed volunteer search groups to find missing relatives.
danger (n.)
a situation that could cause harm or injury
Example:These volunteers face great danger in their search missions.