Marcela Turatti

Marcela Turati (born March 26, 1974) is a Mexican journalist, author, and activist. Her work covers drug violence, forced disappearances, and human rights.

Journalism career Turati holds a degree in journalism from Universidad Iberoamericana. Turati is known as one of the leading Mexican journalists to cover forced disappearances. She currently writes for Proceso and has written for various news media outside of Mexico including The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Published works

Fuego Cruzado (2011) Published in 2011, Fuego Cruzado tells the stories of victims of Mexico's war on drugs.

San Fernando: Última Parada (2023) In San Fernando: Última Parada, Turati writes about her 12-year-long investigation of cartel violence and state corruption in San Fernando, Tamaulipas. The city was the site of two infamous massacres: 72 migrants killed in 2010 and 193 people killed in 2011. In the book, Turati presents a communal narrative through the perspectives of survivors, family members of victims, community members, government workers, nonprofit leaders, and other people affected by the violence. The structure of the book consists of eleven chapters spread over two parts. The chapters are further subdivided into sections that focus on different perspectives, events, and themes. The book has an experimental form, with the text predominantly composed of quotes from people Turati interviewed. It also contains transcripts of official reports, government documents, and forensic files, supplemented by Turati's analysis.

In the prologue, Turati introduces the context of drug violence and corruption in Mexico and describes the investigative process she undertook to write the book. She also reflects on the emotional impact of investigating such devastating violence and impunity, beginning the book with the statement "My soul abandoned me in Matamoros." She is also a cofounder of Quinto Elemento Lab, a collaboration of journalists that seeks to elevate stories that serve the public interest.

In 2018, Turati, along with Alejandra Guillén and Mago Torres, published an investigation titled "The Country of Two Thousand Graves." The project brought together over 90 journalists to investigate forced disappearances in Mexico from 2006 to 2016. The investigation found over 2,000 graves.

Due to her investigative reporting and activism, Turati was the subject of surveillance from the Mexican government. Turati was awarded the Maria Moors Cabot Prize in 2019.