Mexico reports surge in criminal recruitment of minors

Authorities in Mexico are reporting a significant rise in the criminal recruitment of minors. In Oaxaca, the State Attorney General's Office reported a 155% increase in the detention of adolescents linked to organized crime and drug offenses over the past year.

Criminal organizations are reportedly using social media, video games like Roblox and Free Fire, and false job offers to lure vulnerable youth. In Oaxaca, officials noted that 90% of detained minors are male, with many lacking stable employment or being out of school. The recruitment process often involves an “aspirational aesthetic” of luxury and violence to attract interest before moving communication to encrypted platforms.

In Jalisco, authorities have launched the “No es lo que parece” campaign to warn families about deceptive job offers promising high salaries. This follows recent incidents where missing teenagers from Jalisco were located in Guerrero and Michoacán after being recruited by criminal groups. In one instance in Tequila, a 14-year-old was rescued after being lured by a fraudulent job offer via telephone.