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After the killing of Mexico’s most powerful drug lord, the internet was flooded with both genuine news and AI-generated disinformation, causing widespread panic across the country.
When Mexican forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the Jalisco New Generation Cartel retaliated with unprecedented violence across 20 states, resulting in more than 70 deaths. Amid the chaos, social media platforms became saturated with both legitimate updates and fabricated content designed to intensify public fear.
“We didn’t know what was true and what was false,” said Victoria Elizabeth Peceril, who walked with her three children through Guadalajara’s now-calm streets on Wednesday. “We were really scared.”
Mexican officials reported between 200 and 500 problematic posts circulating since Sunday’s military operation, with up to 30 garnering more than 100,000 views each. Data presented at President Claudia Sheinbaum’s daily briefing, compiled by Tecnologico de Monterrey, revealed that 35-40% of these posts lacked proper context, at least 25% contained misleading information, and nearly 25% were either manipulated by artificial intelligence or completely fabricated.
Among the false claims were reports that gunmen had seized Guadalajara’s international airport and taken tourists hostage, accompanied by AI-generated images of a burning commercial aircraft. Other fabricated stories alleged that a U.S. agent had strangled Oseguera Cervantes, that President Sheinbaum was hiding on a naval vessel off Mexico’s Pacific coast, and that Mexican authorities had killed the cartel leader rather than turning him over to U.S. officials.
“There was a lot of badly intentioned news Sunday, looking to generate terror,” President Sheinbaum stated on Tuesday.
In Mexico, many citizens rely on messaging apps and platforms like X (formerly Twitter) for community information. This is especially true in northern border cities under the influence of organized crime, where these communications sometimes function like traffic reports, warning drivers about criminal convoys to avoid.
The Jalisco cartel has built its reputation on spectacular acts of violence, including downing a military helicopter and attempting to assassinate Mexico City’s police chief. This history makes it difficult for the public to dismiss even the most extreme claims about their activities.
“At first, we believed everything,” said 28-year-old Nicolás Martín, who was staying near Puerto Vallarta when the violence erupted. He noted his surprise at the high quality of early posts, including what appeared to be drone footage of explosions and fires in Puerto Vallarta. “The images posted online resembled what you see in movies.”
Vanda Felbab-Brown, an organized crime expert at the Brookings Institution, suggested that individuals connected to the Jalisco cartel may have been responsible for some of the disinformation. “The criminals are becoming very tech-savvy,” she noted, adding that the cartel has particularly invested in its online presence.
“It was impressive to see the level of misinformation,” Felbab-Brown said, referencing the sophisticated AI-generated images claiming to show the cartel’s takeover of Guadalajara’s airport. These posts “certainly added to the aura of chaos and meltdown in Mexico.”
Despite efforts by Mexican authorities and the U.S. Embassy to counter false information, many residents found it challenging to separate fact from fiction during the crisis. Sarai Olguín, a 22-year-old college student in Guadalajara, received numerous videos and photos from friends as residents sheltered indoors.
Olguín believes the posts, including one warning that “after a certain hour they were going to kill everyone,” helped keep people off the streets despite causing intense fear. “In a way it’s good, because all of this false news helped take care of people even though they sowed immense fear,” she said.
The incident highlights the growing challenge of information verification during crises, as criminal organizations become increasingly sophisticated in their use of technology and social media to amplify their influence and spread terror.
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16 Comments
This incident in Mexico is a sobering reminder of the need for robust cybersecurity measures and information verification practices, especially in industries like mining and energy that are closely tied to national security and economic stability.
Absolutely. Protecting critical infrastructure and supply chains from the disruptions caused by disinformation should be a top priority for governments and industry stakeholders.
The mining and commodities sectors are not immune to the impacts of disinformation. Accurate, timely information is critical for market stability and investor confidence. Regulators and industry leaders must work together to combat these threats.
This is a concerning situation. Online disinformation can cause real-world panic and chaos, especially in sensitive security situations. It’s important for authorities to quickly identify and suppress false narratives to maintain public order and safety.
I agree, the spread of disinformation is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Proper context and verified information are crucial during crises like this.
Disinformation can have far-reaching impacts, as we’ve seen in this case. Maintaining public trust and confidence is crucial for the mining and commodities sectors, which rely on stable market conditions and uninterrupted operations. Addressing this challenge should be a top priority.
Agreed. The mining and commodities industries must take a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating the risks posed by online disinformation campaigns. Collaboration with regulators and information-sharing will be key to this effort.
The use of AI to generate fake content is particularly concerning, as it can be difficult to detect and counter. The mining and commodities sectors must stay ahead of these technological developments and work closely with authorities to protect their operations and markets from the impacts of disinformation.
Disinformation can have far-reaching consequences, as we’ve seen in this case. The mining and commodities sectors must be vigilant in monitoring online narratives and working with authorities to counter false information that could impact markets and operations.
This incident in Mexico is a sobering reminder of the real-world consequences that can stem from the spread of online disinformation. The mining and commodities industries must remain vigilant and work closely with authorities to protect their operations and markets from these threats.
The use of AI to generate fake content is particularly troubling. Authorities will need sophisticated tools to detect and counter these sophisticated disinformation campaigns. Rebuilding public trust in information sources will be a challenge.
Absolutely. AI-generated content is becoming harder to spot, and the potential for abuse is huge. Effective solutions need to combine advanced detection, rapid response, and public education.
This incident highlights the fragility of online information ecosystems, even in sensitive national security contexts. Developing robust systems to verify information and limit the spread of disinformation should be a top priority for governments worldwide.
Well said. The proliferation of false narratives can have devastating real-world consequences. Strengthening digital literacy and media literacy is crucial to building resilience against these threats.
The use of AI to generate fake content is particularly worrying. As these technologies become more sophisticated, the potential for abuse will only increase. Developing effective detection and mitigation strategies is crucial to maintaining trust in online information.
You raise an important point. The mining and commodities sectors need to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to identifying and responding to AI-generated disinformation that could impact their operations and markets.