The state of Baja California Sur ranked second nationally in the rate of missing and disappeared persons during the first two months of 2026, according to the study “Violence in Mexico” prepared by the analysis center México Evalúa.
According to the report, the state registered a rate of 3.5 missing persons per 100,000 inhabitants between January and February of this year, second only to Sinaloa, which tops the national list. Following Baja California Sur are Sonora, Nayarit, and Zacatecas.
One of the most relevant findings is the recent trend in the state. While the study indicates a sharp 29% drop nationally in the last year—which it describes as “statistically anomalous”—the local trend has been different.
In the case of Baja California Sur, the number of disappearances increased by 249% compared to the same period in 2025, representing one of the highest increases in the country in the short term.
The document explains that, in 11 states, registrations increased in the last year, but it particularly highlights the case of Baja California Sur due to the magnitude of the increase.
In the case of Baja California Sur, in addition to the annual increase, the current rate represents a 201% growth compared to 2018 and a 154% increase compared to 2015, showing a sustained upward trend in the medium term.
Nationally, México Evalúa points out that the short-term behavior—the 29% reduction—could be associated with more careful registration or status updates in the National Registry of Missing and Unlocated Persons, and therefore considers it essential that the authorities clarify whether there were modifications to the registration criteria.
The analysis also underscores that, despite recent reductions in some states, the problem continues to be concentrated in the northwest and west of the country, with particularly high peaks in Sinaloa, Baja California Sur, and Sonora.
Baja California Sur’s position in second place nationally reflects that, proportionally to its population, the incidence of disappearances in the state is one of the highest in the country at the start of 2026, placing it among the main hotspots in this matter.
Source: tribunademexico
