The Taken

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A massive wave of violence has swept across Mexico in the past decade, particularly in Sinaloa, the birthplace of modern drug trafficking, where citizens live in constant fear of being kidnapped by armed men, whether criminals or police. This collection of firsthand accounts by journalist Javier Valdez Cárdenas offers a deeply human perspective on life in Sinaloa during the drug war, revealing a reality far more complex than popular narratives suggest. Often overlooked in news reports are the voices of ordinary people—migrant workers, teachers, single mothers, businessmen, teenagers, petty criminals, police officers, and local journalists—whose lives revolve around survival and resilience, rather than drugs or crime. Valdez Cárdenas vividly recounts how these individuals cope with the persistent threat of violence, along with the fear, uncertainty, and guilt that haunt survivors and witnesses. Journalists who dare to expose the harsh truths of the drug war face censorship, violence, and even death. This underscores the importance of local reporters like Valdez Cárdenas, who draw on decades of trusted sources to illuminate the stories behind the headlines. In his introduction, translator Everard Meade contextualizes the armed conflict in Mexico and highlights Sinaloa's pivotal role, ensuring that the victims' stories are neither forgotten nor suppressed.