Guns, Drugs and Viral Content: Welcome to Cartel TikTok

The New York Times (NYT) (11/28/2020)
  • Videos and images of exotic pets, piles of cash and beautiful women are flooding TikTok feeds as posts from Mexican Drug Cartel members.
  • Experts say the rise of ‘Cartel TikTok’ is part of cartel propaganda to lure young Mexican men (recruits) into risking their lives for potential luxuries.
  • Cartel gangs rely on a “sea of youngsters” to act as violent enforcers and foot soldiers to protect business operations.
  • Cartel TikTok has also become entertainment to Americans seeking a peak into real-life “Narcos”.