Female Body Found in Clandestine Grave in Ciudad Juárez
CHIHUAHUA.- In an operation conducted in the Portal del Roble II neighborhood of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, state authorities have recovered the body of a woman from a clandestine grave. The discovery was made on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, marking a somber development in the region’s ongoing security challenges.
The incident unfolded at a residence situated at the intersection of Puerto Dunquerque and Puerto Tarento streets. According to testimonies from local residents, ministerial agents arrived at the property around 8:00 AM to conduct a review. This initial inspection quickly escalated into extensive excavation work in the property’s backyard, leading to the grim discovery.
The processing of the scene spanned over three hours, with ministerial police and experts meticulously working to secure evidence. Their efforts were significantly aided by a K9 unit, which played a crucial role in locating the buried remains. Preliminary information gathered at the site confirms the victim is female.
Context of Security Crisis in Chihuahua
This discovery occurs against a backdrop of a severe security crisis in Chihuahua. The state faces an alarming reality where 42 out of its 67 municipalities either lack operational police forces or possess insufficient weaponry to confront the pervasive violence. Data from the National Public Security Census 2025 by Inegi reveals that Chihuahua has only 0.8 agents per thousand inhabitants. This figure falls significantly below the 1.8 officers recommended by the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP) and the 2.8 suggested by the United Nations (UN).
Municipalities such as Bocoyna, Coronado, Gómez Farías, Guadalupe Distrito Bravos, Praxedis G. Guerrero, Valle de Zaragoza, and over a dozen others, are experiencing this critical void in law enforcement. In these areas, the State Public Security Secretariat (SSPE) is largely limited to patrolling dusty roads and establishing temporary checkpoints. The absence of local police is acutely felt in territories where criminal groups often dictate terms.
The SSPE has also indicated that in at least 27 municipalities, armament was withdrawn from officers who failed to meet trust controls. The image of an unarmed police officer patrolling the streets has become a stark symbol of institutional precarity, with officers often left with minimal weaponry, just enough to respond to immediate emergencies.
The recovery of a body from a clandestine grave in Ciudad Juárez underscores the urgent need for reinforced security measures and a comprehensive strategy to address the escalating violence and the critical shortage of law enforcement personnel in the state of Chihuahua.
