Coyotaje [ Limited Choice ]
: Modern smugglers increasingly use social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook to advertise "guaranteed" trips, often using simple videos to build trust with potential customers.
: While some data suggests smuggling and drug trafficking are separate businesses, a significant percentage of smugglers are either forced into or voluntarily work for organized crime , which can lead to the kidnapping and exploitation of migrants. Coyotaje
: Migrants often pay significant fees for these services, with transactions frequently finalized through encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp. : Modern smugglers increasingly use social media platforms
The practice is deeply embedded in the borderlands, carrying significant cultural and literary weight. The practice is deeply embedded in the borderlands,
: Researchers describe coyotaje as taking place in "liminal spaces"—geographical and legal gray areas where traditional documentation is difficult and the outcome of a journey can swing between success and tragedy. Risks and Safety