TikTok Disinformation Emerges as Tool in Mexico’s Violence Crisis

In a disturbing development across Mexico, TikTok has emerged as a powerful tool for spreading disinformation about cartel violence, creating panic and disrupting daily life in communities already struggling with security concerns.

The short-video platform, enormously popular among younger Mexicans, has become ground zero for the rapid dissemination of unverified reports about shootings, roadblocks, and confrontations between criminal groups. Security experts warn this represents a significant evolution in how criminal organizations wage psychological warfare against both civilians and authorities.

Last month, residents of Nuevo Laredo, a border city in Tamaulipas state notorious for cartel activity, experienced the phenomenon firsthand. A flurry of TikTok videos claiming imminent violence prompted businesses to close early and sent people rushing home. Schools canceled classes, and streets emptied as fear gripped the community. Hours later, authorities confirmed there had been no security incidents.

“It’s a form of psychological terrorism,” explains Miguel Arroyo, a security analyst who specializes in digital threats. “Cartels have discovered they don’t always need actual violence to control territory or intimidate populations. Sometimes, creating the perception of danger is equally effective and requires fewer resources.”

The Mexican government has struggled to counter this trend. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration has attempted to establish communication channels to verify security information, but these official sources often react too slowly compared to the viral spread of TikTok videos.

For cartels, social media offers multiple strategic advantages. Beyond creating fear, disinformation campaigns can distract security forces, test response protocols, or mask actual operations happening elsewhere. Videos showing supposed cartel members making threats have become common, though verifying their authenticity remains challenging.

Falko Ernst, senior analyst for Mexico at the International Crisis Group, notes that criminal organizations have become increasingly sophisticated in their digital operations. “We’re seeing dedicated cells within cartels focused solely on information warfare. They understand algorithms and viral content creation better than many legitimate businesses do.”

The phenomenon isn’t limited to border regions. Cities like Guadalajara, Culiacán, and even parts of Mexico City have experienced similar waves of panic driven by TikTok-fueled rumors. The economic impact can be substantial, with businesses losing revenue during these “virtual shutdowns” and tourism suffering from the perception of danger.

TikTok has stated it is working to address the issue, with a spokesperson saying the platform “prohibits content that promotes violent extremism or criminal organizations.” The company claims to use both automated systems and human moderators to identify and remove violating content. However, the speed at which these videos spread often outpaces moderation efforts.

Digital literacy experts emphasize the importance of teaching citizens to verify information before sharing it. “Many people share these videos out of genuine concern for friends and family,” says Claudia Mendez, director of Digital Citizenship Mexico, a non-profit focused on internet safety. “They don’t realize they’re becoming unwitting participants in spreading panic.”

Some communities have developed grassroots verification networks, using WhatsApp groups where trusted community members can confirm or debunk rumors. In Matamoros, local journalists maintain a public channel dedicated solely to verifying security information.

The phenomenon represents a concerning evolution of Mexico’s security challenges, where the battlefield increasingly exists in both physical and digital spaces. Authorities now face the dual task of combating actual violence while simultaneously countering the perception of danger created through digital channels.

For ordinary Mexicans, distinguishing between genuine security threats and disinformation has become an essential survival skill. “We live with constant uncertainty,” says Mariana Fuentes, a teacher in Culiacán. “Every alert could be nothing, or it could be something that saves your life. You can never completely ignore them, even knowing many are false.”

As Mexico approaches presidential elections in 2024, security experts worry that politically motivated actors might adopt similar tactics, further complicating an already challenging information landscape in a country where violence and politics have long been intertwined.