The controversial video shared on Blog del Narco featuring Markitos Toys has sent shockwaves across social media, exposing the gruesome methods of the feared Sinaloa Cartel hitmen and shedding light on the dark connections of the famous YouTuber with some notorious figures in the criminal underworld. The disturbing footage showcases two young individuals brutally tortured while being coerced to chant the name of the popular YouTuber, implying a close association between Markitos Toys and the captured cartel leader, Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, also known as “El Nini.” This shocking visual material has ignited a media frenzy, prompting further investigations to unravel the intricate web of ties between the criminal world and internet celebrities.
I. Video “Arriba Markitos Toys” sicarios
The chilling video circulating on social media provides a glimpse into the brutal realities of drug trafficking in Mexico and its proximity to some celebrities like the YouTuber Markitos Toys. The recording displays two visibly tortured men forced to pay homage to the influencer, shouting “Arriba Markitos Toys” under the coercion of masked hitmen.
The captives, bound and injured, are compelled to declare their allegiance while enduring various forms of abuse. After complying with the orders, one of them is beheaded on camera amid insults directed at rival factions. The brutality depicted in these images would disturb any ordinary person. While the authorship of the video is unconfirmed, its modus operandi aligns with the methods of the Sinaloa Cartel. Specialized blogs like El Blog del Narco suggest that the recording might have been orchestrated by Los Ninis, the faction led by El Nini.
Coincidentally, this is the same criminal cell that Markitos Toys’ personal friend and cartel security chief, El Nini, commanded. In other words, the recording serves as evidence of the violence perpetrated by the narcotic group protecting Pérez Salas, the same individual with whom the YouTuber publicly acknowledged having a close friendship.
This controversial video exposes not only the cruelty of the hitmen but also the proximity of the influencer to such individuals. Although Markitos Toys has distanced himself from illegal actions, his mere mention in such macabre material raises more doubts about his true level of involvement with the feared Sinaloa narco.
II. Markitos Toys and His Relationship with “El Nini” According to Blog del Narco
- Statements of Friendship by Markitos Toys on Twitter
Public signs of a close friendship between Markitos Toys and Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, alias “El Nini,” emerged on social media when the popular YouTuber released a tearful video about the capture of his “friend.” With visible anguish, Marcos Eduardo Castro Cárdenas clarified that their relationship was limited to a beautiful friendship, denying any links to the criminal activities of drug trafficking.
“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,” said Markitos Toys, shedding tears. Although careful not to mention the capo’s alias, he made evident the close emotional bonds he shared with one of Sinaloa’s most wanted men.
These controversial statements raised suspicions about the true depth of his connections with El Nini, especially considering Markitos Toys’ participation in the narcocorrido “Me Dicen Nini,” which glorifies the violent exploits of the criminal leader. In this contentious song, Markitos Toys collaborates with Beto Vega, praising Pérez Salas as the bloodthirsty chief spreading terror in Culiacán.
- Participation in Narcocorridos “Arriba Marquitos 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 relationship of complicity between the influencer and the criminal group led by his friend. Such musical productions are often used by drug cartels for self-promotion and boasting of their power, making Markitos Toys’ involvement particularly sensitive.
Beyond hints and conjectures, a recent formal report from U.S. authorities directly identifies Marcos Eduardo, alias “Markitos,” as a financial operator for the criminal group led by Néstor Isidro. According to this document, disseminated by El Blog del Narco, the YouTuber would be one of the four individuals responsible for managing the illicit resources of Los Ninis, a Sinaloa Cartel faction commanded by Pérez Salas.
The severity of these allegations 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
Given the abundance of evidence, the controversial influencer faces a complex legal situation in both Mexico and the United States. Following Pérez Salas’s capture, known as “El Nini” or “El Chicken Little,” authorities are focusing their investigations on dismantling the entire network of collaborators, among whom Markitos Toys is featured, according to the exposed records.
Beyond potential legal consequences, this scandal also deals a severe blow to the carefully constructed public image of the YouTuber in recent years. His social media successes and growing fan base are now seriously jeopardized by the robust accusations regarding his ties to transnational organized crime.
The case has also prompted new scrutiny of various political figures with alleged connections to El Chapo’s sons and their criminal network. If “El Nini” agrees to cooperate with authorities and expose his former associates, many reputations could be at stake in the coming months.
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 family criminal network in 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 recognized as his “friend.”
According to information circulated by El Blog del Narco, Kevin Daniel coordinated the management of illicit resources for the criminal organization alongside three other individuals. One of them would be Markitos Toys, whose real name is Marcos Eduardo Castro Cárdenas.
Authorities directly link both cousins as responsible for administering funds derived 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, turning the scandal into a matter that involves high-profile figures.
With two family members now behind bars, suspicion grows about a money-laundering network where the influencer may 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 are just beginning. While formal charges have not been filed against the YouTuber yet, his proximity to the two captured financial operators puts him in the sights of Mexican and U.S. authorities. Both his freedom and his fame are at serious risk.
IV. Other Evidence of Markitos Toys’ Ties to Narcos
Beyond his acknowledged friendship with Néstor Isidro and the detention of his cousin as a financial operator, other signs implicate Markitos Toys in illicit activities related to drug trafficking. One of the most controversial is his mention in the sicario video “Arriba Markitos Toys.”
In this circulating video on social media, two bound youths are forced to chant the YouTuber’s name while being brutally tortured. “And who’s up there?” asks one of the assailants. “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 hitmen but also implicates the influencer with the perpetrators of the assault. While there is no confirmation of its authorship, all indications point to the Sinaloa Cartel and specifically to the group of “El Nini,” a personal friend of Markitos Toys.
Another clue arises in the controversial narcocorrido “Me Dicen Nini,” which Markitos Toys himself performs alongside Beto Vega. The lyrics praise Pérez Salas as a violent narco leader, showing how the YouTuber contributes to the public glorification of crimes committed by his friend.
Lastly, outlets like El 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 candidate 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 far exceed the boundaries of a simple friendship, as he has tried to convey to his followers. Time will tell if Markitos Toys can prove his innocence.
“No lava dinero, solo son compas los del Cártel de Sinaloa CDS”, Youtuber Markitos Toys llora por señalamientos de que es amigo y lavador de dinero de Néstor Isidro Pérez “El Nini”, era un gran amigo mío y lo sigue siendo dice https://t.co/oppyk57HTW pic.twitter.com/Q7A6xd9OBZ
— Blog del Narco México (@blogdelnarcomex) November 27, 2023
V. Consequences for Markitos Toys
After years of great success as a YouTuber and influencer, the public credibility of Markitos Toys is now hanging by a thread. The abundant evidence of his connections with Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas and alleged illicit activities has caused profound damage to the image he so carefully cultivated.
At just 25 years old, Markitos Toys had become a social media star in Mexico. His YouTube videos amassed millions of views, projecting a life of luxury within the bounds of the law, thanks to his various businesses.
However, his proximity to one of Sinaloa’s most wanted narcos completely ruins this facade. Public opinion now judges him as a potential member of that criminal network, given the founded suspicions of his involvement in money laundering and drug trafficking.
To make matters worse, this scandal also implicates several political actors mentioned in the reports circulated by El Blog del Narco. By publicly endorsing figures linked to Los Chapitos, Markitos Toys raises suspicions about the connections between politics and drug trafficking.
In this scenario, the future of the influencer looks rather bleak. Even if he manages to evade legal consequences, his credibility and reputation have been so 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.