Mexican Cartels increasingly Recruit Child Assassins

Updated May 28, 2025

Mexican cartels are increasingly preying on children, recruiting them as ⁢assassins by exploiting their desire for belonging and status.Security experts attribute this trend to the brutalization‍ of Mexican society and the failure of past and present governments⁣ to curb the cartels’ ‍influence. These young recruits, sometimes called “colorful chicks,”⁤ are seen as cheap and disposable.

One former recruit, Sol,⁣ now⁤ 20, recounted her experience. She joined a cartel at 12, starting as a lookout‍ before quickly rising in the ⁣ranks. ⁢Her youth protected her from severe punishment, ⁤and ⁣her enthusiasm impressed ‍the cartel leaders. Addicted ⁤to methamphetamine from age 9, she was arrested at 16 for kidnapping ⁤and spent three years in juvenile detention.

Another former child soldier, Daniel, joined a cartel at 16 and worked for⁤ three years as a lookout, ⁣enforcer, and eventually, a killer. he fled in November, seeking asylum⁢ in the U.S., fearing for his life and the safety of his family.

While hard data is scarce, the U.S. government estimates that about 30,000 children have joined ⁣criminal groups in⁣ Mexico. Advocacy groups suggest the number of vulnerable children could be as high as⁣ 200,000.⁢ A Mexican government report indicated that some children join as young as age 6, often recruited through video⁤ games and social media.

“You join with your death sentence already signed. But it’s worth it,” said a 14-year-old child killer.

In 2021, authorities intercepted three boys, ages 11 to 14,‍ who were recruited⁣ through the video game “Free Fire.” This led to the National Guard issuing guidelines on safe video game use⁤ and a legislative proposal to criminalize the glorification‍ of crime in media.

Gabriela Ruiz,a specialist in youth issues,said that ⁣these⁢ children are disposable and ultimately face death. Despite government efforts to combat the social roots ⁣of cartel violence, experts⁣ say little progress has been made. A key⁢ issue is the lack of specific laws banning the recruitment of minors into organized crime.

What’s next

Sol is now studying law, hoping to specialize ⁣in juvenile law and⁢ mentor children tempted by a life of crime. Daniel is seeking asylum in the U.S. and hopes to build a new life. The need for targeted programs to rescue and rehabilitate child soldiers remains critical in addressing the ⁤growing crisis of child recruitment by Mexican cartels.