Kathmandu— A young livestreamer named César Gastélum was murdered in Culiacán, Sinaloa state, Mexico, while he was live streaming. The incident occurred when two men on a motorcycle approached him outside a fast food restaurant and shot him at close range within seconds. This murder has sparked questions about the relationship between content creators and criminal cartels in this violence-wracked region.

Background of the Murder

The Sinaloa state prosecutor's office provided limited details but noted that their investigation included posts made by Gastélum, some of which referred to a criminal group. Despite this, officials stated that Gastélum had not received any threats from criminal groups and was not under police investigation for alleged links with cartels.

Increasing Trend of Influencer Murders

Gastélum is one of at least 10 content creators killed in Sinaloa since a deadly war broke out between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel two years ago. Claudia Arruñada, a communications expert from Mexico's Iberoamerican University, suggests that social media and the criminal underworld can become intertwined, leading to dangerous consequences.

Influencers and Narcoculture

Arruñada argues that some influencers promote narcoculture by showcasing luxurious lifestyles linked to drug traffickers. Gastélum often shared images of expensive cars, nightlife, and luxury trips on his social media platforms. This lifestyle can make content creators targets in Culiacán.

Government Response

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that local and national authorities would pursue those responsible for Gastélum's murder. The government aims to sever the link between popular culture and criminal cartels by denouncing narcocorridos and tackling crime directly.

(With inputs from BBC News)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.