In a world where platforms and artificial intelligence increasingly influence essential aspects of daily life, illegal groups in Colombia have discovered that these social media can serve as powerful recruitment tools to strengthen their criminal structures. What once functioned merely as spaces for entertainment and creativity has quietly transformed into a digital battlefield where armed groups gain visibility, expand their messaging, and attract the attention of vulnerable teenagers.
TikTok, one of the fastest-growing apps among young users, has become a central part of this trend. Authorities warn that criminal players use it to glamorize illegal lifestyles and present their activities in a way that appeals to minors who may not fully understand the risks behind the content that appears on their screens.
A new digital battlefield in Colombia’s long conflict
In Colombia, the rapid rise of social media has given armed groups a new avenue to empower themselves. This is especially evident in the northern region of Antioquia, where videos circulating on TikTok have raised alarms within law enforcement. In these areas, the content often mirrors the style used by notorious crime figures in the past, but with a modern digital twist.
Instead of posters or whispered promises, armed groups now rely on trending audio clips, filters, symbols of status, and carefully crafted narratives to portray criminal life as exciting, respectable, and full of opportunity. The effect on minors, many of whom scroll through TikTok for hours each day, is strong enough to spark interest, curiosity, or even admiration for these organizations.
Investigations in Antioquia are currently focused on whether ELN, dissident FARC factions, and the Clan del Golfo are operating behind these online accounts. The recruitment method they use blends charm, deception, and psychological pressure.
According to public statements made by Colonel Oscar Mauricio Rico of the Antioquia Police, those responsible for these videos “win over the hearts of young people with offers of work. When minors arrive and become immersed in the situation, they realize the so-called job is actually forced recruitment.”
Despite efforts to curb the trend, authorities have already identified around 16 minors who were pulled into criminal groups through social media contact. Another four have been rescued by the National Police in towns such as San Jose de la Montaña, Campamento, and Segovia, after they had already entered the ranks of these organizations.
A digital strategy designed to manipulate minors
Although the recruitment of minors has long been part of Colombia’s internal conflict, the methods used through social media are more subtle, instantaneous, and difficult to trace. Criminal groups have adopted a digital style that resembles the behavior of popular influencers.
Their videos are fast-paced and visually attractive, using typical TikTok elements such as jokes, viral soundtracks, rhythmic edits, and aspirational imagery that blends seamlessly with the content minors normally consume. The intention is to erase the boundary between harmless entertainment and dangerous persuasion.
Within this environment, the criminal lifestyle is portrayed as glamorous and accessible. Videos frequently include images of motorcycles, parties, rural hideouts, or symbols associated with power and status. Even when the content avoids explicit violence, it creates an illusion of excitement and belonging. Teenagers who feel disconnected from their communities, or who see few economic opportunities, may interpret these posts as proof that joining such groups is a path toward respect and stability.
Once a minor shows interest — sometimes simply by liking or commenting on a video — recruiters contact them through direct messages. They often disguise the recruitment process as legitimate job offers or paid opportunities in logistics or communications. Because these conversations happen privately, parents and teachers rarely notice the early stages. By the time the deception becomes clear, the minor may already be emotionally invested or physically transported to a remote area controlled by an armed group.
Authorities believe that some of the videos circulating today use simple artificial-intelligence tools to obscure identities, stylize propaganda, or enhance the visual appeal of these posts. The technology allows criminal groups to spread messages while remaining anonymous and increases the professional quality of the content they publish. For minors who already consume highly polished videos from influencers, this kind of production makes the criminal messaging appear even more legitimate and credible.
How social media is intensifying the armed conflict
Beyond the recruitment of minors, social media has begun reshaping the dynamics of Colombia’s armed conflict in ways that alarm security experts. Propaganda now spreads faster than authorities can respond. In remote regions where independent news sources are scarce, TikTok and other platforms frequently serve as the primary source of information for young people.
Armed groups exploit this gap to shape local narratives, present themselves as protectors rather than threats, and portray rival factions or the state as weak or hostile. This type of messaging strengthens their influence without requiring a physical presence.
Territorial control is also evolving. Traditionally, the power of an armed group was measured by its dominance over roads, towns, and rural corridors. Today, digital control matters just as much. Groups use social media to announce curfews, impose rules, or issue warnings, and these messages can circulate rapidly within local communities. Even if the group is physically far away, the online communication creates a sense of constant surveillance and fear. Residents begin adjusting their behavior based on what they see on their screens rather than what they experience in person.
The conflict is further aggravated by online posturing among criminal factions. Some groups publish content meant to intimidate rivals or demonstrate strength, even when those displays are exaggerated or staged. Nevertheless, these posts can provoke real-world retaliation or escalate tensions on the ground. The combination of misinformation, propaganda, and psychological pressure makes it harder for communities to trust institutions or distinguish truth from manipulation.
These digital dynamics also reduce the cost and risk of recruitment. In the past, groups needed intermediaries and lengthy persuasion processes to bring minors into their ranks. Now, a single video can reach thousands of potential recruits instantly. Social media collapses geographical barriers, allowing criminal networks to reach minors in urban centers, rural towns, and everywhere in between.
A conflict that now lives on screen
Colombia’s armed conflict has always adapted to new conditions, but its shift into the digital sphere marks one of the most complex challenges yet. TikTok’s growing role as a recruitment channel reveals how easily entertainment can blend with manipulation and how vulnerable minors are in an environment where online content is consumed rapidly and often without guidance.
While authorities continue to track cases and rescue victims, the conflict no longer unfolds only in remote terrains or isolated rural pathways. It now appears on the screens of millions of teenagers across the country, embedded in videos that look playful, exciting, or harmless at first glance.
If the state does not strengthen digital literacy programs, monitoring strategies, and community protections, criminal groups will continue using social media creatively and convincingly. The battle for Colombia’s youth is no longer just territorial, it is algorithmic.