What happened
Seventy-two migrants were killed near San Fernando, Tamaulipas, in 2010 in a massacre attributed to members of the Los Zetas criminal organization.
The investigation
A survivor reached authorities and described the attack, leading security forces to the site. The investigation later connected the area to additional mass graves and disappearances.
What the courts or investigators concluded
Multiple suspects linked to Los Zetas were arrested and prosecuted in connection with the massacre and related crimes.
Why the case remains significant
The case exposed the extreme risks faced by migrants crossing Mexico and the interaction between organized crime, corruption, disappearance and weak protection along migration routes.
Case context
Crime by Region organizes cases geographically so readers can move from one file to other investigations from the same country. For unresolved or contested cases, the wording above reflects the distinction between confirmed events, investigative theories and findings actually established in court.