The Missing 43: Mexico’s Disappeared Students (2014)

In 2014, VICE News produced the documentary titled “The Missing 43: Mexico’s Disappeared Students,” which delves into a heart-wrenching and politically charged tragedy. The film sheds light on the disappearance of 43 students from the Teachers College of Ayotzinapa in Guerrero, Mexico.

On September 26, these students embarked on a journey to participate in a protest in Iguala. However, their path intersected with police forces, leading to a violent clash. During this confrontation, six students were fatally shot, and an additional 43 were abducted. The subsequent investigations revealed shocking allegations: the police had allegedly acted under the orders of the local mayor, who handed over the abducted students to members of the Guerreros Unidos cartel. Tragically, all 43 students are now feared dead.

This heartrending case has become emblematic of the Mexican public’s disillusionment with the state of justice and the rule of law in their country. The events surrounding the missing students have galvanized survivors and parents alike. Nationwide demonstrations have intensified, with government buildings in Guerrero set ablaze as a powerful expression of collective outrage.

VICE News traveled to Guerrero, the epicenter of the protest movement that erupted following the students’ disappearance. The documentary captures the anguish of survivors of the Iguala police attack and the desperate parents searching for answers. Volunteer search parties scour the region, while protests against the government and the president reach a boiling point. The film serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of corruption, impunity, and violence in Mexico.

For those seeking a deeper understanding of this tragic chapter in Mexican history, “The Missing 43: Mexico’s Disappeared Students” provides an unflinching look at the pain, resilience, and determination of those affected by this profound loss.