politics
Influencers Are the Sinaloa Cartel’s Newest Targets
The U.S. is trying to destroy Mexican cartels. But so far, a turf war has only deepened.
TL;DR
- Culiacán is experiencing a severe cartel turf war, with influencers becoming targets, exemplified by the murder of TikToker César Gastélum.
- U.S. efforts to combat the Sinaloa cartel have inadvertently deepened the conflict between factions, increasing violence without significantly reducing drug flow.
- The violence has expanded to include new victims like influencers and students, who may be recruited or kidnapped for their skills by criminal groups.
- The kidnapping of U.S. citizen José Isaías Ibarra Duarte highlights the international dimension and the perceived inaction of governments.
- Corruption is a significant issue, with accusations against Mexican officials for colluding with cartels, complicating efforts to restore order.