Young Colombians are attracted to rebel groups via Tiktok
Guerrilla groups in southwestern Colombia are increasingly recruiting young people via social media, the BBC reports. In 2023, an umbrella group for the Farc guerrillas recruited at least 184 people and during the first half of the year the number is 159.
Young people are exposed to recruitment videos on Tiktok and the method is difficult to stop. The BBC has verified at least over 50 accounts urging users to join. Some accounts are removed, but new ones will soon be added.
Colombia expert Sergio Saffon says that the rebels are trying to sell "a wonderful life".
- Where you can get everything you could possibly want: Money, women, motorcycles.
Farc signed a peace agreement with the state in 2016 but three factions have since come together under the name Estado Mayor Central, EMC, which is believed to have 3,000 members.
Guerrilla groups in southwestern Colombia are increasingly recruiting young people via social media, the BBC reports. In 2023, an umbrella group for the Farc guerrillas recruited at least 184 people and during the first half of the year the number is 159.
Young people are exposed to recruitment videos on Tiktok and the method is difficult to stop. The BBC has verified at least over 50 accounts urging users to join. Some accounts are removed, but new ones will soon be added.
Colombia expert Sergio Saffon says that the rebels are trying to sell "a wonderful life".
- Where you can get everything you could possibly want: Money, women, motorcycles.
Farc signed a peace agreement with the state in 2016 but three factions have since come together under the name Estado Mayor Central, EMC, which is believed to have 3,000 members.
...................................
Lorena's students are recruited: "Feeling so much pain"
It has become completely normalized for young people in Colombia to take part in propaganda videos from rebel groups on social media, says teacher Lorena to the BBC.
The 30-year-old says that she herself had students who suddenly did not show up, only to later appear in videos on Tiktok that show how they joined and carry weapons. At the school where she works, 15 students have been recruited.
- You feel so much pain, disappointment and powerlessness.
It has become completely normalized for young people in Colombia to take part in propaganda videos from rebel groups on social media, says teacher Lorena to the BBC.
The 30-year-old says that she herself had students who suddenly did not show up, only to later appear in videos on Tiktok that show how they joined and carry weapons. At the school where she works, 15 students have been recruited.
- You feel so much pain, disappointment and powerlessness.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar