By Zoila Palma: The killing of Mexican social media influencer César Gastélum during a livestream has renewed concerns over the growing number of content creators being targeted amid escalating cartel violence.
Gastélum was livestreaming outside a fast-food restaurant in Culiacán, Sinaloa, on August 4 when two men on motorcycles approached and one shot him in the head. The attack occurred within seconds as thousands of followers watched online.
Gastélum’s death is among a series of killings involving influencers in Mexico, particularly in Sinaloa and other states affected by organized crime. Although there is no official national record of influencer killings, local media estimates suggest about 20 cases have been reported across Mexico over the past two years.
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) has documented 20 attacks against influencers in Sinaloa since 2024, resulting in 14 deaths.
Experts say some of the violence may be connected to relationships or perceived associations between influencers and criminal organizations.
Sinaloa has experienced a particularly violent power struggle between rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, Los Chapitos and Los Mayos, following the transfer of cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada to the United States in 2024.
Analysts say the conflict has created an environment in which individuals perceived to be associated with one faction can become targets of rivals.
The post International News: Influencer killings rise in Mexico as rival cartel factions fuel violence appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The killing of Mexican social media influencer César Gastélum during a livestream has renewed concerns over the growing number of content creators being targeted amid escalating cartel violence. Gastélum was livestreaming outside a fast-food restaurant in Culiacán, Sinaloa, on August 4 when two men on motorcycles approached and one shot him in
The post International News: Influencer killings rise in Mexico as rival cartel factions fuel violence appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.