Fact-Check: Old Nepal Protest Video Falsely Circulated as Mexico Unrest After 'El Mencho' Killing
A video depicting violent street clashes, with vehicles and government buildings set ablaze, has gone viral on social media platforms. The footage is being falsely shared as showing recent violent protests in Mexico following the reported killing of notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho'. However, a thorough fact-check reveals this claim is entirely misleading.
The True Origin: September 2025 Protests in Nepal
The viral video in question is not from Mexico and does not relate to any events surrounding 'El Mencho'. It is, in fact, authentic footage from September 2025, captured during widespread and violent Gen Z-led protests in Nepal. The demonstrations, which began in the capital Kathmandu, quickly spread to other major cities across the country.
The protests turned extremely violent, with participants setting fire to numerous vehicles, police barricades, and government offices. The clashes resulted in a significant loss of life and injuries. Official reports from the time confirmed that at least 31 protesters and 3 police officers were killed, with over 253 individuals injured in the unrest.
How the Misinformation Spread
The original video was posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by an account named 'Burning News' on September 12, 2025. The post clearly described the footage as showing 'Gen Z protests in Nepal' and used hashtags like #burningnews and #NepalGenZProtest. Despite this clear context, the video has been recently recirculated with new, false captions claiming it depicts violent protests in Mexico.
This misinformation appears to exploit ongoing news interest in Mexico's security situation, particularly following unconfirmed reports about the fate of 'El Mencho', a key figure in the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. By attaching the old, dramatic footage to a current news hook, the false post gains traction and misleads viewers.
Key Facts to Remember
- Date: The video is from September 2025, not February 2026.
- Location: The events occurred in Nepal, specifically Kathmandu and other cities, not in Mexico.
- Context: The footage shows Gen Z protests in Nepal, not protests related to any cartel activity or 'El Mencho' in Mexico.
- Casualties: The violence led to 34 confirmed deaths (31 protesters, 3 police) and 253 injuries in Nepal.
It is crucial for social media users and news consumers to verify the source and date of viral content before sharing. This case highlights how easily old footage can be repurposed with false narratives to spread misinformation about unrelated current events in different parts of the world.
