Mexican Cartels Used Fake Images To Stoke Fear Amid Chaos
In the violent aftermath of the killing of cartel leader “El Mecho” by Mexican forces, the internet became flooded with false accounts of violence to stoke fear. Researchers characterized these false reports as a coordinated propaganda campaign by organized crime groups. While a surge of violence did erupt nationwide, online misinformation amplified the events with one claim alleging that assassins had taken over the Guadalajara airport. Other false reports claimed a plane on the runway was on fire and smoke was coming from a church and buildings in the popular tourist city of Puerto Vallarta. Despite being debunked by Reuters, the misleading images were shared extensively online. According to the Mexican government, there were between 200 and 500 troublesome and inaccurate posts, including up to 30 that received over 100,000 views since the operation. Such misinformation often emerges following major news events, particularly in the era of artificial intelligence. Experts noted that in the case of El Mencho’s death, the circulation of fake news was alarmingly speedy, spread not only by unsuspecting users but, in some cases, by the cartel itself. Experts attribute the motive behind this tactic to amplify the perception of the cartel’s retaliatory violence, making it seem more terrifying than it really was.
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