Wave of Disinformation Follows Mexican Cartel Leader’s Death

The death of Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), triggered not only widespread violence across Mexico but also an unprecedented flood of digital misinformation, according to a new report from the Digital Media Observatory at the Technological Institute of Monterrey.

In the 48 hours following the Mexican army’s operation in Jalisco, between 200 and 500 posts containing false or misleading information circulated on social media platforms. The most viral content—with some posts receiving over 50,000 reactions and 100,000 views—potentially exposed millions of users to unverified information about the aftermath of El Mencho’s death.

The chaos that ensued after the operation included narco-blockades, burning vehicles, and armed confrontations between cartel members and security forces in several Mexican states. These real events were then amplified and distorted through a combination of bot networks, artificial intelligence manipulations, and influence campaigns, particularly from American far-right figures and media outlets.

One of the most concerning incidents occurred at Guadalajara International Airport, where videos showing passenger stampedes circulated without proper context. While several airlines canceled flights as a precautionary measure, authorities insisted the terminals remained operational. Bot accounts and ultraconservative social media profiles falsely claimed that CJNG members had invaded the airport and taken American and Canadian tourists hostage—allegations that were entirely fabricated.

“Local media outlets picked up these images without explaining the context, leaving interpretation open and amplifying uncertainty,” notes the observatory’s report titled “Disinformation Following the Killing of ‘El Mencho’: Volume, Speed, and Reach.”

The disinformation campaign escalated when AI-generated images began circulating. One particularly egregious example showed a burning airplane, falsely presented as being from Guadalajara Airport. The image, clearly marked with a Gemini AI watermark, was nevertheless shared widely, including by the American far-right media outlet Real America’s Voice News.

Independent journalist Alberto Escorcia, who specializes in disinformation research, identified approximately 500 bot accounts that amplified three specific profiles spreading false information. This coordinated action contributed to real-world panic, including the stampede witnessed at the Guadalajara Airport.

The situation drew international attention when Laura Loomer, a far-right figure with nearly two million followers on X (formerly Twitter), falsely claimed that American tourists were being taken hostage. Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno echoed these unfounded claims, threatening “violent and terminal retribution” if American citizens were harmed.

The Mexican government, through its Embassy in the U.S. and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, worked to counter the rumors, confirming that no foreign nationals had been harmed during the unrest. The U.S. diplomatic mission in Mexico publicly commended Mexican security forces and highlighted the bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

The violence that followed El Mencho’s death recalled the “Culiacanazo” incident during former President López Obrador’s administration, when authorities were forced to release Ovidio Guzmán, son of “El Chapo” Guzmán, following violent retaliation by the Sinaloa Cartel.

Other fabricated claims included conspiracy theories that President Claudia Sheinbaum had been evacuated to a Navy vessel in the Pacific, that El Mencho was still alive and hospitalized, or that his death was connected to the capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.

The Monterrey Institute’s report concludes with a warning about the accelerating spread of misinformation during crisis events, emphasizing the critical need for citizens to verify information through reliable sources before sharing content on social media platforms.