Memorial for Disappeared Erected at Angel of Independence; Family Demands Answers in Ana Amelí Case

A stark memorial bearing the phrase "Mexico, Champion in Disappearance, over 135,000 in 2026" was erected beneath the iconic Angel of Independence in Mexico City by activist groups and the family of Ana Amelí. The installation occurred following a march protesting the unresolved disappearance of the 19-year-old student, who vanished a year ago while hiking in the Ajusco area.

The memorial's placement involved crossing metal barriers at the monument's base, prompting the arrival of officials from the Secretariat of Government, Citizen Security, and the Human Rights Commission of the capital. Vanessa Gámez, Ana Amelí's mother, recounted the harrowing experience of her daughter's disappearance, which began on July 12, 2025, when Amelí, a student, failed to respond to calls or messages after going for a hike.

“

This is a reminder of all the pain that has been caused to us for more than 365 days without my daughter… This is not a crime, this is a reminder that the criminals who are in the security institutions are them, they are the ones who allow children, women, young people, and everyone to disappear.

Confronting police officers present at the scene, Ana Amelí's mother asserted that the memorial was not a crime but a necessary reminder. "This is a reminder of all the pain that has been caused to us for more than 365 days without my daughter... This is not a crime, this is a reminder that the criminals who are in the security institutions are them, they are the ones who allow children, women, young people, and everyone to disappear," she declared.

Arturo Carrasco, another participant, led a prayer at the memorial, dedicating it to the missing young woman and all those who have disappeared in Mexico. The protest and memorial serve as a powerful indictment of the ongoing crisis of disappearances in the country and the perceived inaction of authorities.

“

Today marks 365 days since a call changed my life as a mother, the life of a family. On July 12, 2025, after seven in the evening, we realized that Amelí, a 19-year-old student who had gone out like any young person to enjoy a hike in a beautiful place in Ajusco, was not answering the phone, was not responding to any messages, only silence.