I Survived a Kidnapping in Mexico. Now I Tell the Stories of Those Who Didn’t.

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In June 2020, Manuel Bayo Gisbert, a visual anthropologist and artist, was abducted by members of a drug cartel outside of Mexico City. He was beaten, tortured and ultimately released, making him one of the few survivors of kidnappings in Mexico. A crisis of violence and disappearances has plagued the country for decades. In this episode of “The Opinions,” hear Gisbert tell his own story and how it led him to collect the memories of those who are still missing.

Read Gisbert’s essay and see his photos of the survivors and families of the disappeared here.

(A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.)

Credit…Illustration by The New York Times; photograph by Manuel Bayo Gisbert

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This episode of “The Opinions” was produced by Derek Arthur. It was edited by Alison Bruzek and Kaari Pitkin. Mixing by Pat McCusker. Original music by Sonia Herrero, Carole Sabouraud and Pat McCusker. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. Special thanks to Patricia Nieto and Daniela Cobos.

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