Mexican Drug Cartels Coerce Thousands of Children into Criminal Activities
Over 30,000 children in Mexico have been forcibly recruited by drug cartels, with an alarming additional 200,000 believed to be at risk, according to recent reports. This crisis has been exacerbated by the rise of social media and online gaming as recruitment tools.
One harrowing narrative is that of a young girl named Sol, who was approached by a stranger and subsequently taken to a cartel compound at just 12 years old. Initially tasked with monitoring activities, Sol was soon thrust into a violent kidnapping mission, which ended in murder. Her testimony sheds light on the systematic exploitation of minors, often referred to as "pollitos de colores" or "colorful chicks" within cartel circles—an indication of their vulnerable status.
Experts note that young recruits are seen as easily manipulated, with many introduced to cartel life through familial connections. Reports from survivors indicate children are often drugged to ensure compliance, with training commencing as early as age eight. Inside cartel operations, minors frequently engage in terrorizing communities through kidnappings and extortion, perpetuating an ongoing cycle of violence.
Mexico