Mexican Teens Use AI to Glorify 1970s Secret Police on TikTok, Sparking Outrage
A disturbing new trend has emerged on TikTok in Mexico, where young people are using artificial intelligence to imagine themselves as agents from the country's infamous 1970s secret police force, the Federal Security Directorate (DFS). This force was notorious for its brutal tactics during Mexico's "dirty war," including torture, murder, and forced disappearances of thousands. The trend has sparked widespread condemnation and a heated debate about the glorification of corruption and impunity.
AI Videos Transform Teens into DFS Agents
The videos predominantly feature young men dressed in grey or brown suits, standing proudly in front of classic 1970s vehicles such as Cadillacs or Rolls Royces. They are set to catchy Mexican music and often include text overlays expressing a desire to have lived in the 1970s with a DFS badge, enjoying "total impunity" while "smelling of whiskey and smoke with a shitload of money." These AI-generated clips allow users to adopt the guise of DFS agents, romanticizing an era marked by state-sponsored violence.
Historical Context of the DFS
Founded in 1947 under the dictatorial PRI party, the DFS served as Mexico's equivalent of the FBI, focusing on intelligence gathering, spying on political opponents, and suppressing resistance. During the late 1960s and 1970s, as student protests and armed guerrilla groups rose, the DFS became infamous for its ruthless methods. Historian Sergio Aguayo notes that the agency developed a brutal strategy to annihilate guerrilla cells, involving kidnapping, torture, and forced disappearances. They were also implicated in "death flights," where suspected guerrillas were killed and their bodies dumped into the Pacific Ocean.
In the early 1980s, with the guerrilla movement largely suppressed, the DFS shifted its focus to drug trafficking, offering protection and even transporting drugs themselves. This corruption led to high-profile murders, including that of a journalist investigating DFS ties to the CIA and drug cartels, and DEA agent Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena. The agency was dissolved in November 1985 following these scandals.
Debate Over Cultural and Political Implications
Aguayo argues that the TikTok videos reflect a broader cultural shift towards violence and a disregard for ethical work, emphasizing quick wealth acquisition without moral considerations. However, digital culture expert Irene Soria offers a more nuanced perspective, linking the trend to the rise of the Mexican far right and its opposition to feminism. She points out that these videos, particularly from the "macho-sphere," position themselves against the powerful feminist movement in Mexico, which has seen massive protests against violence towards women.
Soria also highlights that some women are participating in the trend, posing as DFS agents or as wives of agents and politicians, akin to the "tradwife" phenomenon in the US, where women reject modern feminist ideals for traditional gender roles. This adds complexity to the discussion, suggesting a rejection of progressive values among certain youth.
Backlash and Calls for Historical Awareness
The trend has not gone unchallenged. Many TikTok users have responded with videos condemning the glorification of the DFS, emphasizing the brutal reality of the secret police and warning against romanticizing an institution that caused immense harm. One user poignantly stated, "It's incredible to see how a trend can override collective memory. We were NOT better off before; stop romanticizing one of the institutions that has done the most damage to the country." This backlash underscores the importance of preserving historical truth and confronting past atrocities.
