How Gangs & Cartels Weaponize Social Media

Much like celebrities and influencers, Mexican cartels and other violent gangs have vast social media followings. They use social media to issue threats, announce new campaigns, and even put out hits on people.

Social media platforms like Instagram, Tik Tok and X (formerly Twitter) rarely block the content, especially if it’s not in English.

Banned groups monetize video platforms like Tik Tok and YouTube, making money off music videos and other content that glorifies the gangster lifestyle.

Social media provides strategic value for criminal groups

Vast Followings
Gangs like MS-13, Brazil’s PCC and various Mexican cartels have hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.

Spreading ‘Narco’ Culture"
Illegal groups use social media to recruit new members with promises of wealth, women and weapons.

Issue Orders Freely, Widely
Crime bosses use social media to rally their troops, issue threats to rivals, and sell drugs and other contraband.

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Media Coverage

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Murderous Mexican Drug Cartels Are Thriving On Elon Musk’s Twitter
Murderous Mexican Drug Cartels Are Thriving On Elon Musk’s Twitter

“Twitter shouldn’t provide a platform for Mexican cartel members to spread their hate and incite violence," an official for the organization behind a new report said.

On social media, cancel drug cartels: Make Facebook and Twitter purge content from violent criminal organizations
On social media, cancel drug cartels: Make Facebook and Twitter purge content from violent criminal organizations

President Trump has called for an all-out assault on violent Mexican drug cartels and the brutal MS-13 street gang.

‘We’re Going to Find You.’ Mexican Cartels Turn Social Media Into Tools for Extortion, Threats, and Violence
‘We’re Going to Find You.’ Mexican Cartels Turn Social Media Into Tools for Extortion, Threats, and Violence

This music video, viewed more than 2.5 million times on YouTube, celebrates convicted cartel kingpin Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán. Image by Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun. Mexico, 2019.