Part 4/15:
Culturally, CJNG has adopted military-like uniforms, gear, and operational tactics, reflecting a paramilitary organization rather than a traditional criminal syndicate. Schultz notes that their use of social media and propaganda echoes strategies historically employed by radical terrorist groups, aiming to psychological warfare. While both groups employ graphic violence for fear-mongering, CJNG's distinct glamorization of narco culture—through music, clothing, and media—adds a cultural layer that attracts youth and perpetuates a dangerous allure.
Vargas emphasizes that the psychological tactics—public violence and propaganda—are meant to create an aura of invincibility, making them formidable foes that law enforcement struggles to contain.