Reclutamiento de niñas, niños y adolescentes por la delincuencia organizada en Quintana Roo (2022-2023): análisis de causas, impactos y propuestas de intervención

In recent years, organized crime in Quintana Roo has generated a wave of violence that has destabilized society, particularly affecting a vulnerable group: children and adolescents. This article addresses the worrying phenomenon of the recruitment of minors by criminal organizations, analyzing the causes, consequences, and possible solutions. It is based on the premise that this group has become both protagonists and spectators of the systematic violation of their human rights, reflecting a social and public security crisis. The study highlights that organized crime finds minors easy prey, taking advantage of the structural deficiencies of the Mexican justice system, the lack of educational and employment opportunities, and the widespread indifference toward this issue. Factors such as school dropouts, domestic violence, poverty, and the influence of narco-culture in the media and social networks contribute to recruitment. Furthermore, dynamics such as coercion, psychological manipulation, and the promise of financial gain are identified as mechanisms used by criminal organizations to attract young people. This article focuses on the 2022-2023 period, providing a detailed analysis of the situation in Quintana Roo, although it is recognized that this problem has a global scope. Specific cases and statistical data are examined that demonstrate the increase in the recruitment of minors, as well as their participation in activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, and contract killings. The psychological, social, and legal effects of this problem on minors and their families are also explored. Finally, the article proposes strategies to address this crisis, including the implementation of comprehensive public policies that address the structural causes, the creation of prevention and social reintegration programs, and the improvement of the justice system to protect minors. The importance of collaboration between the government, civil society, and educational institutions to create a safe environment with opportunities for the new generations is emphasized.