Published: February 25, 2026 | Outlet: El País (English edition)
Context
El País — one of the most widely read Spanish-language newspapers in the world — published an investigation into the use of AI and bots during the disinformation wave following El Mencho’s death. I was cited as a “journalist and researcher specializing in disinformation” and my identification of 500 bot accounts that amplified false profiles and generated panic — including a fabricated stampede at Guadalajara airport — was featured prominently.
Key Findings Reported
El País documented how AI-generated images were mixed with real footage to create a narrative of chaos far beyond what was actually happening on the ground. My technical analysis of the bot network provided the investigative backbone for their report.
This was the first major European outlet to cover my work on the CJNG disinformation operation — a significant milestone for international visibility of the issue.