Part 9/13:
The case of Valeria Marquez, a young TikToker shot on live stream, exemplifies this calculated use of violence as spectacle. Valeria’s shooting was not merely an act of murder but a media event designed to send a message. Her fear and pleas for help, streamed online, were manipulated to evoke horror and outrage among viewers. Similarly, Irma Hernandez was forced to make a message—a chilling warning to others—before her death.
These acts are strategic, serving as propaganda that perpetuates fear and signals to communities that no one is safe. Organized crime groups are swiftly becoming media savvy, leveraging videos, live streams, and social media to amplify their message and showcase their dominance.