Influencer Nicole Pardo Rescued After Kidnapping by Cartel in Mexico

A 20-year-old Mexican-American influencer, Nicole Pardo Molina, known as “La Nicholette,” has been found alive and in good health following her abduction by masked gunmen linked to a drug cartel. The incident occurred on March 5, 2024, when chilling surveillance footage captured Molina being forcibly taken outside a shopping mall in Culiacan, Mexico.

The Sinaloa Attorney General’s Office confirmed her recovery late on March 9, stating, “Thanks to citizens’ cooperation, Nicole Pardo Molina has been located.” Details surrounding her rescue remain sparse, but authorities acted swiftly after the kidnapping, tracking the vehicle used in the abduction and issuing a missing persons alert on March 7.

Molina, who has garnered a substantial online following with over 180,000 Instagram followers and more than 145,000 on TikTok, has become a prominent figure in the influencer community. A frequent traveler between Culiacan and Phoenix, Arizona, where her parents reside, she gained attention in Mexico after launching a traditional Mexican ballad called “La Muchacha de Salado” on her 16th birthday in 2022. The ballad, performed by the group Grupo Arriesgado, has amassed over 27 million views on YouTube, contributing to her growing fame and entrepreneurial ventures, including a jewelry business and a clothing shop located near the site of her abduction.

The Sinaloa region, notorious for its drug cartel activity, continues to face significant challenges with violence and abductions. In 2023, a staggering 72 women and girls were murdered in the area, a figure that highlights the ongoing dangers present in the region. The prevalence of such violence underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and community vigilance.

Molina’s case has drawn widespread attention, reflecting both the risks faced by public figures in Mexico and the potential for community intervention in crises. Her recovery offers a glimmer of hope amid the troubling backdrop of cartel-related violence that has plagued the region for years. As the story unfolds, many will be keen to learn more about the circumstances of her abduction and subsequent rescue, as well as the measures being taken to address the pervasive threats posed by organized crime in Sinaloa.