With an uptick in violence from fighting between organized crime groups, people are looking for respite through the festivities over the Christmas holidays. However, these dates are also used by organized crime to ingratiate themselves with the communities and inhabitants of the areas where there is a strong presence of their thugs.
Thus, videos circulated on social networks in which alleged members of the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel ( CJNG ) can be seen parading through the streets of the state of Jalisco in their vehicles but this time leaving aside the weapons that they are usually seen carrying as a show of power, exchanging them for gifts.
These types of demonstrations are not new, since at least since 2020, several groups such as the Michoacana Family, Los Zetas, Cárteles Unidos, and the CJNG have been seen giving away bonuses, toys, turkeys and pantries to ingratiate themselves with people they terrorize.
The vehicles also stand out, mostly pick-up trucks, with Christmas decorations placed on the sides and illustrations of snowmen, Santa Claus, and gift boxes characteristic of the time.
From Santa Claus, penguins, and inflatable reindeer, they are tied to the roofs and secured with ropes like makeshift floats. In the streets, numerous people can be seen crowding the sidewalks and approaching the men who are on the vehicles giving away various presents.
What stands out is the presence of numerous infants who look surprised and delighted at the striking parade attributed to the cartel based in Jalisco, one of the most bloodthirsty and with the greatest presence in Mexico.
Some of the videos were taken by the alleged members of the criminal group from outside and inside the luxurious vans that circulate on the street. In some of them, you can read the legend “Given toys from Mr. RR”.
This is Ricardo Ruiz Velasco, also known as “El Tripa” lieutenant of the CJNG, who is designated as the youtuber of the criminal group since he would be in charge of producing and disseminating videos of the group where they pose with their weapons and cars to demonstrate their armed force.
In 2020, a video recorded somewhere between Guanajuato and San Luis Potosí also circulated that was widely disseminated on blogs run by the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel, where two older women posed next to a luxury van parked in an area with no pavement and houses.
“Say thank you, Mr. Mencho!” a man who had delivered a cardboard box of food was heard saying. The ladies, with more fear than gratitude, dedicated a timid cheer to Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho” leader of the group.
According to an analysis by the International Crisis Group, criminal groups often take advantage of the needs of those who live in vulnerable communities throughout the country in order to try to win sympathy and support, for example, not to report their presence to the authorities.
They do it to win minds and hearts by giving away groceries or school supplies. In some cases, they have even set up schools. In the same way, they organize posadas in which they give away sweets and Rosca de Reyes.
