From the editor: We're publishing the article below from "Borderland Beat" that illustrates a technique of the drug cartels; doing benevolent things in local Mexican communities to curry favor.
"They're really not that bad, look at the things they've given us or done for us," is exactly how the cartels want ordinary citizens to view them.
But, it's just a ploy. American politicians and huge religious systems controlling vast quantities of art, monies and other holdings do similar things to present an image of charity.
A video released on social media shows a classroom furnished with computers apparently donated by Nemesio RubΓ©n Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho", the leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva GeneraciΓ³n (CJNG).
The desktop background of each computer has a personal dedication note from Mencho as well as a logo used previously in other CJNG gifts. A text box on the screen reads: "A detail from papa Mencho":
Handing out food, appliances, and other gifts is a common tactic used by the CJNG and other criminal groups in order to gain local support. Alongside the traditional turf conflict between the government and between criminal groups is the war of perception and propaganda, with each party competing to earn the trust and loyalty of the civilian population. While the turf is fought with AK-47s, the propaganda war is fought with narco messages, narco videos, and gifts.
The intention behind gifts and videos like these is to portray the CJNG as a beneficial force in the community. These gifts are the physical accompaniment to a barrage of narco messages and videos which blame the rival criminal group as being responsible for all violence and crime, and attempt to convince the general public that the CJNG will respect the community and will fight to bring peace to the region. Of course, the CJNG are little different than their rivals in predating on civilians and causing violence.
For example, in December 2019, CJNG members filmed themselves driving around the rural municipality of TomatlΓ‘n, Jalisco, handing out plastic bags filled with food and toys. The bags also contained a flyer with the same CJNG logo seen on the computer screensavers seen in this video, noticed Borderland Beat contributor Char.
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| Toys Given out to Kids by Drug Cartels |
The logo text reads "The Lord of the Roosters, Mencho, wishes you a Merry Christmas!". The "Lord of the Roosters" is a common moniker for El Mencho, due to his apparent love of cockfighting.
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LOL
ReplyDeleteThis is an acceptable response albeit a juvenile one. We'll publish it, at least applauding your effort, not falsely claiming your "best" effort was laced with profanities as you falsely represented ours. Let this be a lesson as to dealing with reader's comments straightforwardly.
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