In recent days, a chilling video titled “Arriba Markitos Toys” has sent shockwaves through Mexico and beyond, exposing the brutal methods employed by the feared sicarios of the Sinaloa drug cartel. This video not only showcases the ruthless tactics of the criminal organization but also sheds light on the murky connections between its notorious leader and certain influencers, with popular YouTuber Markitos Toys at the center of the storm.
I. Video “Arriba Markitos Toys” Sicarios
The disturbing video circulating on social media provides a grim portrayal of the narcotics trade in Mexico and its proximity to internet celebrities like Markitos Toys. The footage features two visibly tortured individuals, held captive and coerced by sicarios to chant praises for the influencer.
Captives, bound and injured, are forced to shout “Arriba Markitos Toys” while enduring various forms of abuse. After complying with the orders, one of them is gruesomely decapitated on camera amid insults directed at rival factions. The brutality depicted in the video aligns with the modus operandi of the Sinaloa drug cartel, with speculations suggesting the involvement of “Los Ninis,” the faction led by Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, alias “El Nini.”
Notably, this is the same criminal cell led by the capo who is a close personal friend of Markitos Toys. In essence, the recording serves as a demonstration of the violence perpetrated by the narco group that shielded Pérez Salas, the very same individual publicly acknowledged by the YouTuber as a close friend.
This controversial video not only exposes the cruelty of the sicarios but also raises questions about the influencer’s proximity to such individuals. While Markitos Toys has distanced himself from illegal activities, his mere mention in such macabre material casts doubt on the true extent of his relationship with the feared Sinaloa narco.
II. Markitos Toys and His Relationship with “El Nini” According to Blog del Narco
Declarations of Friendship by Markitos Toys on Twitter
Signs of a close friendship between Markitos Toys and Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, “El Nini,” first surfaced on social media when the popular YouTuber posted a tearful video following the capture of his “friend.” Mark Eduardo Castro Cárdenas clarified that their relationship was limited to a beautiful friendship, denying any links to the illicit activities of the drug trade.
“I only had a friendship with my friend, and a friendship is worth more than anything. We were friends; I was neither his employee nor he mine,” expressed Markitos Toys tearfully, careful not to mention the capo’s alias but revealing the close emotional ties he shared with one of Sinaloa’s most sought-after figures.
These controversial statements sparked suspicions about the true depth of his connection with “El Nini,” especially considering the YouTuber’s involvement in the narcocorrido “Me Dicen Nini,” glorifying the violent exploits of the criminal leader. In this contentious song, Markitos Toys collaborates with Beto Vega, praising Pérez Salas as the ruthless boss sowing terror in Culiacán.
Participation in Narcocorridos “Arriba Markitos Toys”
Lyrics like “Con cuernos de chivo y bazuca en mano, protege very well a los dueños del cartel” reinforce the idea of a close complicity between the influencer and the criminal group led by his friend. Such musical productions are often used by narcos for self-promotion and boasting of their power, making Markitos Toys’ involvement highly delicate.
Beyond hints and conjectures, a recent formal report from U.S. authorities directly identifies Marcos Eduardo, alias “Markitos,” as the financial operator of the criminal group led by Néstor Isidro. According to this document, disseminated by Blog del Narco, the YouTuber would be one of four individuals responsible for managing the illicit resources of “Los Ninis,” a faction of the Sinaloa cartel commanded by Pérez Salas.
The gravity of these accusations becomes apparent with the arrest of Kevin Daniel Castro Beltrán, Markitos Toys’ cousin, for his alleged involvement in money laundering and drug trafficking. Both are now implicated as financial operators for Los Ninis, a criminal subgroup serving the sons of El Chapo.
Accusations as a Financial Operator in Blog del Narco
In light of the abundance of evidence, the controversial influencer faces a complex legal landscape in both Mexico and the United States. Following Pérez Salas’ capture, known as “El Nini” or “El Chicken Little,” authorities have focused on dismantling the entire network of collaborators, among whom Markitos Toys appears based on the outlined precedents.
Beyond potential legal consequences, this scandal also deals a severe blow to the public image carefully crafted by the YouTuber in recent years. His successes on social media and a growing fan base are now seriously jeopardized by solid accusations regarding his ties to transnational organized crime.
III. Detention of Kevin Daniel Castro Beltrán, Markitos Toys’ Cousin
The arrest of Kevin Daniel Castro Beltrán, cousin of the popular YouTuber Markitos Toys, has raised alarms about a possible familial criminal network in the service of the Sinaloa cartel. The 30-year-old is accused of being one of the financial operators for ‘Los Ninis,’ a group led by Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, alias “El Nini,” whom the influencer publicly acknowledged as his “friend.”
According to information disseminated by Blog del Narco, Kevin Daniel coordinated the management of illicit funds for the criminal organization alongside three other individuals. One of them would be none other than Markitos Toys, whose real name is Marcos Eduardo Castro Cárdenas.
Authorities directly link both cousins as responsible for administering funds from drug trafficking and other illicit activities of Los Ninis. This subgroup operates within the Sinaloa cartel under the command of El Chapo Guzmán’s sons, escalating the scandal to involve high-profile figures.
With two family members now behind bars, suspicion grows about a money-laundering network where the influencer might also be involved. After years of cultivating an untarnished public image on social media, Markitos Toys faces serious questioning about his connections with Kevin Daniel and especially with his friend Pérez Salas, now in custody.
Investigations into this serious case of drug trafficking and organized crime have only just begun. While there are currently no formal charges against the YouTuber, his proximity to the two captured financial operators puts him in the crosshairs of Mexican and U.S. authorities. Both his freedom and his fame are under serious threat.
IV. Other Evidence of Markitos Toys’ Ties to Narcos
Beyond his acknowledged friendship with Néstor Isidro and the arrest of his cousin as a financial operator, there are other signs implicating Markitos Toys in the illicit activities of the narcotics trade. One of the most controversial is his mention in the sicario video “Arriba Markitos Toys.”
In this video circulating on social media, two bound individuals are forced to cheer for the YouTuber while being savagely tortured. “And who’s up there?” one of the perpetrators asks. “Markitos Toys,” resignedly responds one of the captives before having part of his ear amputated.
This gruesome video not only exposes the brutal methods of the sicarios but also implicates the influencer with the perpetrators of the aggression. While there is no confirmation of its authorship, all signs point to the Sinaloa cartel and specifically to the group of “El Nini,” the personal friend of Markitos Toys.
Another clue arises in the controversial narcocorrido “Me Dicen Nini,” which Markitos Toys performs alongside Beto Vega. The lyrics praise Pérez Salas as a violent narco leader, showcasing how the YouTuber contributes to the public glorification of crimes committed by his friend.
Finally, outlets like Blog del Narco also revealed Markitos Toys’ electoral support for political figures supposedly linked to the Sinaloa cartel. During the 2021 elections, he promoted the candidacy of Rubén Rocha Moya, reportedly in a long-standing relationship with El Chapo’s sons.
The combination of all these pieces of evidence seriously complicates the influencer’s situation with the authorities. His ties to the narco world seem to surpass by far the limits of a simple friendship, as he has tried to convey to his followers. Time will tell whether Markitos Toys can prove his innocence.
V. Consequences for Markitos Toys
After years of tremendous success as a YouTuber and influencer, the public credibility of Markitos Toys now hangs by a thread. The abundant evidence of his connections with Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas and alleged illicit activities has dealt a profound blow to the image he meticulously cultivated.
At just 25 years old, Markitos Toys had emerged as a social media star in Mexico. His YouTube videos garnered millions of views, projecting a life of luxury but within legal boundaries, thanks to his various business ventures.
However, his proximity to one of Sinaloa’s most wanted narco figures shatters this facade completely. Public opinion now judges him as a potential member of a criminal network due to well-founded suspicions of his involvement in money laundering and drug trafficking.
To make matters worse, this scandal also implicates several political actors mentioned in reports disseminated by Blog del Narco. By publicly endorsing figures linked to Los Chapitos, Markitos Toys raises suspicions about connections between politics and drug trafficking.
Given this scenario, the influencer’s future looks quite bleak. Even if he manages to evade legal consequences, his credibility and reputation have been so severely damaged that he will likely never regain the success he enjoyed until recently. The consequences of associating with the mafia are finally catching up with him.