The killing of Mexican cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, widely known as “El Mencho,” triggered not only coordinated violence across Mexico but also a wave of disinformation on social media. Artificial intelligence-generated images and misleading posts circulated widely, amplifying public fear and confusion.
Oseguera, head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed in a military operation on Sunday. His death sparked retaliatory attacks in 20 of Mexico’s 32 states, including road blockades, arson, and vandalism.
Alongside the unrest, fabricated images and videos flooded platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and X. Fact-checkers in Mexico reviewed at least a dozen false posts linked to the operation and its aftermath. These materials were shared more than 38,500 times across social networks.
One of the most widely circulated images was an AI-generated aerial photograph showing extensive fires across Puerto Vallarta, a major tourist destination in Jalisco state. While criminal groups did burn vehicles and damage businesses in parts of the city, authorities confirmed that the scale of destruction was far less severe than depicted in the manipulated image.
Digital analysts say the disinformation campaign appeared coordinated. Social media researcher Alberto Escorcia identified three groups responsible for spreading false narratives during the violence. He said accounts linked to the Jalisco cartel amplified exaggerated content to heighten panic, while other opportunistic users used the unrest to promote political messaging.
Some of the accounts involved have previously been associated with the spread of false information across Mexico and other Latin American countries. Escorcia later reported receiving threats online after demonstrating how the misleading content was circulated.
Mexico’s Security Secretary, Omar García Harfuch, confirmed that authorities have identified multiple social media accounts connected to the disinformation surge. He said investigations are ongoing to determine whether the accounts are directly linked to criminal organisations or operated independently to spread falsehoods.
Beyond misinformation, researchers also documented online expressions of support for Oseguera following his death. Valeria Almaguer of the Seminar on Violence and Peace at the College of Mexico said analysts observed a sustained volume of posts expressing admiration, grief, and identification with the late cartel leader.
The study, which reviewed content across Instagram, TikTok, and X, found messages accompanied by cartel-related emojis and references to “narco-corridos,” songs that glorify organised crime figures.
Earlier research published in April 2025 identified more than 100 TikTok accounts connected to cartel recruitment and propaganda. The report concluded that the CJNG had become one of the most active criminal groups using TikTok to attract young recruits and spread its messaging.
In March 2025, following the discovery of a cartel training centre in Jalisco, authorities requested the removal of 39 social media profiles allegedly used to recruit youths. The accounts were subsequently taken down.
Security officials say monitoring online platforms has become a critical component of combating organised crime, as criminal groups increasingly use digital tools to shape narratives, recruit members, and escalate unrest beyond physical attacks.
