Criminal groups in Mexico target adolescents for forced recruitment

Criminal organizations in Mexico are increasingly targeting adolescents aged 13 to 17 for forced recruitment. In Jalisco, gangs use sophisticated digital tactics, such as fake job offers on social media, to lure minors during vulnerable periods like school graduations. Once captured, these youths are often transported to states like Zacatecas, Sinaloa, or Michoacán to undergo forced training in clandestine ranches. A phenomenon described as “Recruitment 2.0” has emerged, where minors are coerced under threat to recruit their own friends and family members.

In Michoacán, authorities in Morelia reported the rescue of 18 adolescents who were allegedly being recruited for tasks related to organized crime. The rescues occurred at the Morelia Bus Station through coordinated efforts involving local police and the “Puntos Naranja” protection strategy. While the specific origins and destinations of the rescued minors were not detailed, the incident highlights the ongoing risk in Michoacán, a state identified as having a high incidence of child and adolescent recruitment by criminal groups.