Sinaloa, Mexico – Mexican authorities have confirmed the discovery of the bodies of five of ten workers abducted from a mine operated by Canadian company Vizsla Silver Corp. In the northwestern state of Sinaloa. The remains were found in clandestine graves near Concordia, according to a statement released by the Attorney General’s Office on Monday, .
The identification of the five victims was made possible through family notification, with one family, that of José Manuel Castañeda Hernández, confirming his identity through photographs provided by local officials in Mazatlán, as reported by CBC News. Castañeda Hernández, 43, is survived by his wife and two children. His brother, Jaime Castañeda, expressed the family’s anguish and lamented the lack of justice in the situation.
Vizsla Silver Corp. Issued a statement acknowledging that they had been informed by a number of families that their relatives, who were working at the company’s Pánuco silver-gold project site in Concordia, had been found deceased. The company stated it is awaiting official confirmation from Mexican authorities. “We are devastated by this outcome and the tragic loss of life,” said Vizsla President and CEO Michael Konnert. “Our focus remains on the safe recovery of those who remain missing and on supporting all affected families and our people during this incredibly difficult time.”
The discovery of the bodies follows an investigation launched after the ten workers were abducted on . Mexican authorities have arrested four individuals believed to be connected to the disappearances, according to President Claudia Sheinbaum, who stated on Monday that the suspects had led authorities to the location of the remains. The investigation remains ongoing, with efforts continuing to identify the remaining five bodies.
The mountainous region of Sinaloa has been a focal point of conflict between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel for over a year. This turf war has contributed to a climate of violence and insecurity, impacting both local communities and businesses operating in the area. The abduction and subsequent deaths of the mine workers underscore the risks faced by companies operating in regions controlled or contested by organized crime groups.
The incident has raised concerns about the security of mining operations in Mexico, where cartels often seek to extort money from companies or illegally exploit valuable resources. Mines have previously been targeted by organized crime, highlighting the vulnerability of the sector to criminal activity.
Beyond the immediate tragedy, the case has brought renewed attention to the broader issue of missing persons in Mexico. Sinaloa state alone has over 7,000 reported missing individuals, forming part of a national total exceeding 132,000. The sheer scale of the problem underscores the challenges faced by Mexican authorities in addressing organized crime and ensuring the safety of its citizens.
The federal government responded to the abduction by increasing troop deployment to Sinaloa and launching a search operation. Governor Ruben Rocha also reported the discovery of additional clandestine graves last week, though the connection to the Vizsla Silver workers remains unconfirmed. Rocha also referenced a separate incident involving the abduction of Mexican tourists from Mazatlan, where a woman and child were found alive, but four individuals remain missing.
The incident occurs as President Sheinbaum defends her administration’s efforts to combat Mexican cartels, asserting that recent crackdowns are yielding “compelling results.” These statements come in response to threats from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has suggested potential U.S. Military intervention against Mexican drug cartels.
