The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances has activated an Urgent Action mechanism to demand that the Mexican State locate José Juan Arias Solís, a 14-year-old boy who disappeared on June 19, 2025, in Valle de Santiago, Guanajuato.
The deadline set by the UN expires on September 23, 2025, by which date Mexico must report on the concrete measures it has taken to clarify the case and ensure the minor’s location alive.
Testimonies pointing to military forces
According to the teenager’s father, three men in military uniform beat and detained José Juan during an operation involving at least 20 members of the Armed Forces, supported by official Army and National Guard vehicles.
The Prodh Center confirmed that there is judicial testimony proving the presence of military commanders and ministerial agents during the arrest. However, to date, the minor’s whereabouts remain unknown, despite the family’s efforts and the injunction 762/2025 filed in Irapuato.
A disappearance amid a national crisis
The case reflects the deep crisis of disappearances in Mexico, where more than 131,000 people remain missing, including 18,000 children and adolescents.
In Guanajuato, the situation is especially serious: 683 disappearances were reported in 2024, and in the first eight months of 2025, more than 500 cases have already been recorded.
Actions demanded by the UN
The CED Committee ordered the Mexican State to implement immediate measures, including:
Initiate a thorough and impartial search, with a differentiated approach due to the fact that the child is involved.
Explore all hypotheses, including the possibility of enforced disappearance by security forces.
Locate and interrogate all military and ministerial agents involved.
Provide video surveillance records and telecommunications data linked to the operation.
Adopt protective measures for the family of the teenager, who was the victim of threats.
Ensure that family members actively participate in the search and receive regular information.
A Story with a Human Face
José Juan’s mother and father have faced not only the anguish of their son’s disappearance, but also direct intimidation to force them to abandon the search.
The case has raised alarm bells in the international community and rekindles the demand that the Mexican state assume its responsibility in the crisis of disappearances that affects thousands of families.
Source: msn
