Content creators in Mexico, victims of violence linked to organized crime

Mexico — Various cases of assaults and homicides of content creators and personalities from internet in Mexico have been associated at different times with the violence of organized crime, especially with the environment of the recently deceased leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho.”

Among the cases that have come to light is that of the young man known on social media as “El Pirata de Culiacán”, whose murder in 2017 after allegedly receiving threats was linked at the time to criminal groups due to the influencer's public statements on issues of violence and the power of drug trafficking. Another case that generated impact was the homicide of María Valeria Márquez, who was murdered during a live broadcast. Investigations pointed to the possible involvement of CJNG members in the act, including links with alleged high-profile operators within that criminal structure. Likewise, figures like Marcos Eduardo Castro Cárdenas, known as “Markitos Toys,” have had to modify their life and residence after being at risk as a result of the violence and tensions of organized crime, following tragic events linked to the environment of drug trafficking.

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Security specialists warn that these events reflect the impact that organized crime violence can have on unexpected sectors of society, including content creators and internet celebrities who, due to public exposure or circumstantial relationships, become targets of aggression. Authorities have emphasized the need to strengthen protection and prevention mechanisms, while investigations continue into these and other similar cases, in a context of persistent violence in several regions of the country.