Glamming up ‘dirty war’: teens in Mexico glorify 1970s secret police on TikTok
A TikTok trend sees Mexican teens posing as agents of the 1970s Federal Security Directorate, a secret police unit notorious for torture and disappearances. The videos have drawn criticism for romanticizing a dark chapter of Mexico’s history, while some users defend the trend as a form of cultural…
In recent weeks, a wave of TikTok videos has taken Mexico by storm. Teenagers across the country have been using artificial‑intelligence filters to transform themselves into agents of the Federal Security Directorate, the DFS, a secret police force that operated from 1947 to 1985. The videos depict young men in gray or brown suits, standing in front of vintage Cadillacs or Rolls‑Royces, while a catchy Mexican tune plays in the background. The captions boast of “absolute impunity” and a life of “whiskey, smoke, and a shitload of money.” The trend has ignited a fierce debate online about whether it glorifies a dark chapter in Mexican history or simply reflects a new form of digital play.
What is the DFS and why is it remembered so badly?
The DFS, short for Dirección Federal de Seguridad, was created in 1947 under the long‑ruled Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Modeled after the FBI, the agency’s mandate was to gather intelligence on perceived subversive groups, monitor political opponents, and suppress resistance to the regime. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the DFS became infamous for its brutal tactics. It was involved in kidnappings, torture, forced disappearances, and the notorious “death flights.” In these operations, suspected guerrillas were taken to a military base near Acapulco, killed, and their bodies were dropped from planes into the Pacific Ocean.
By the early 1980s, after the guerrilla movement had largely been quelled, the DFS shifted its focus to the burgeoning drug trade. The agency allegedly offered protection to early drug trafficking groups and even transported narcotics. A journalist who investigated these ties was murdered in 1984, and a year later DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was kidnapped and killed by traffickers. Subsequent investigations linked the DFS to both killings, leading to the agency’s dissolution in November 1985.
Why are teens reviving the DFS on TikTok?
According to historian Sergio Aguayo, the TikTok trend is a symptom of a broader “culture of violence” that has seeped into youth culture. “The videos are a form of quick money making, a way to gain attention without caring about the historical cost,” Aguayo says. Yet feminist scholar Irene Soria offers a different angle. She argues that the trend reflects the rise of far‑right sentiment in Mexico and a backlash against the feminist movement. “In the macho sphere, these videos become a way to oppose feminism and claim resistance,” Soria observes. The phenomenon is not limited to male participants; women have also posted videos, some portraying themselves as DFS agents, others as wives of agents or high‑ranking PRI politicians. Soria compares this to the “tradwife” trend in the United States, where young women reject modern feminist ideals and adopt 1950s‑style gender roles.
Public reaction: praise, criticism, and a call for remembrance
The trend has split the online community. Some users celebrate the videos as a creative expression of nostalgia, while others condemn them for romanticizing a regime that inflicted thousands of deaths and disappearances. A young woman posted a video using the same music but added a caption that reads, “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.” Her post sparked a wave of counter‑videos that highlight the brutality of the DFS and remind viewers of the human cost of the secret police’s actions.
These reactions underscore a broader debate about how Mexico remembers its “dirty war.” While the country has made strides in acknowledging past abuses—through truth commissions and memorials—there remains a tension between the desire to move forward and the need to confront a painful history. The TikTok trend forces that conversation into the digital age, forcing younger generations to grapple with the legacy of state violence.
What’s next for the DFS trend and Mexico’s historical narrative?
As the trend continues, social media platforms are under pressure to moderate content that may glorify criminal or violent institutions. Meanwhile, historians and activists are calling for educational initiatives that contextualize the DFS’s role in Mexico’s past. The debate is far from settled; the next steps will likely involve a mix of platform policy changes, public awareness campaigns, and perhaps a renewed push for official recognition of the victims of the DFS.
Why it matters
The TikTok trend forces a new generation to confront Mexico’s painful history of state‑run violence, highlighting how digital culture can both revive and distort collective memory.
Key points
- The DFS was a brutal secret police force active from 1947‑1985.
- Teenagers are using AI to portray DFS agents in TikTok videos.
- The trend has sparked debate over glorifying a violent past.
- Feminist scholars link the trend to far‑right sentiment and backlash against feminism.
- Public reaction includes both praise and condemnation, with calls for remembrance.
- The trend may influence platform policies and historical education efforts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DFS?
The Federal Security Directorate was Mexico’s secret police force that operated from 1947 to 1985, known for torture, disappearances, and involvement in drug trafficking.
Why are teens using AI to portray DFS agents?
The trend reflects a mix of nostalgia, desire for online attention, and, according to some scholars, a backlash against feminist movements.
Is the trend being moderated on TikTok?
TikTok has faced pressure to moderate content that glorifies violent or criminal institutions, but specific policy actions are still evolving.
What are the historical consequences of the DFS?
The DFS was responsible for thousands of deaths and disappearances, and its legacy remains a contentious part of Mexico’s collective memory.
