Like any war, the War on Drugs runs on propaganda.
Mexican cartels stop at nothing to control their public image and the flow of information.
From creating entirely new genres of narco-rap music to the emerging generation of Cartel TikTok superstars, drug cartels are becoming pop culture brands.
This plays a key role in how they recruit young soldiers and cement their place within Mexican society.
But there is also a very, very dark side. Anyone who tries to report on cartel violence and corruption can be attacked and murdered. Mexico is now the most dangerous country in the world for journalists outside of active war zones.
00:00 Intro
01:10 The Rise of Narco-Propaganda
02:29 Cartels on Social Media
03:40 Narco-Music
06:44 Cartels & Social Aid Programs
07:38 The Danger of Being a Journalist in Mexico
Watch more from this series:
The Opioid Crisis Sweeping Africa
Why Mexican Cartels Use American Guns
The Female Cartel Bosses of Latin America
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