The Disinformation Threat to Latino Voters: A Deep Dive into Election Interference
The upcoming election cycle has once again cast a spotlight on the Latino and Hispanic voting bloc as a pivotal demographic, with both Republican and Democratic parties vying for their support. However, a significant concern looms over this crucial electorate: the pervasive spread of mis- and disinformation targeting them. The 2020 and 2022 elections witnessed a barrage of Spanish-language disinformation campaigns, and experts warn that this trend is set to intensify in the current electoral landscape. Latino organizations are raising alarms about the detrimental impact of this manipulation on voter confidence and democratic processes.
The crux of the issue lies in the vulnerability of Latino and Hispanic voters to deceptive information campaigns, often due to limited access to reliable information sources and language barriers. Juan Rosa, of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), highlights the growing demand for accurate and timely information among these voters. NALEO, along with other organizations forming the Election Protection Commission, is actively combating disinformation through initiatives such as a Spanish-language voter information hotline and monitoring social media for false narratives. Their efforts underscore the critical need to counter the spread of misleading information and empower Latino voters with credible resources.
The disinformation campaigns targeting Latino voters are multifaceted, originating from both domestic and foreign actors. Domestically, politically motivated groups are deploying disinformation tactics to sway voters toward their preferred candidates, while internationally, foreign governments aim to sow discord and potentially influence election outcomes. Roberta Braga, of the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas, points to the prevalence of false narratives alleging that Democrats promote socialist or communist agendas akin to those in Venezuela or Cuba. These narratives exploit pre-existing anxieties among Latino communities about political ideologies and government overreach.
Another prevalent tactic is the scapegoating of Latino and Hispanic populations, often through claims about non-citizen voting. While such rhetoric might primarily aim to influence white voters, it has the collateral effect of demonizing Latino communities and undermining their trust in the electoral process. Braga’s research reveals that disinformation exploiting anxieties about “elites” and institutions resonates strongly with Latino voters, reflecting broader distrust in government stemming from both historical and contemporary experiences. This susceptibility to emotionally charged narratives underscores the importance of countering disinformation with factual information and fostering trust in credible sources.
Efforts to combat disinformation targeting Latino voters are underway on multiple fronts. While federal agencies like the Department of Justice encourage reporting of disinformation, community organizations like NALEO play a vital role in building trust and providing culturally accessible resources. Rosa emphasizes the importance of reaching out to Latino communities through familiar channels like Spanish-language media outlets, which fosters a sense of connection and encourages reporting of suspicious activity. This localized approach proves more effective than relying on federal agencies, which might feel distant and inaccessible to many within the community.
The digital landscape further complicates the challenge of combating disinformation. A significant portion of Latino Americans rely on social media as their primary news source, making them particularly vulnerable to viral misinformation. Platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp, and the influence of "dis-influencers" – individuals actively spreading disinformation – are key vectors for propaganda and conspiracy theories. The lack of Spanish-centric election resources and local news options exacerbates this vulnerability, making Latino communities a prime target for both domestic and foreign influence operations.
Foreign interference in U.S. elections adds another layer of complexity to the disinformation problem. Alden Wahlstrom, of Mandiant and Google Cloud, identifies several foreign information operations targeting Latin American and Spanish-speaking audiences. These campaigns disseminate pro-Russia, pro-China, and pro-Iran propaganda, often tailored to resonate with local issues and anxieties. The alignment of these narratives with broader geopolitical agendas suggests a concerted effort to manipulate public opinion and potentially influence electoral outcomes.
U.S. intelligence agencies have confirmed the use of sophisticated tools, including artificial intelligence, by foreign governments to craft persuasive disinformation campaigns in multiple languages, including Spanish. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has also highlighted Cuba’s growing interest in U.S. elections, including down-ballot races, raising concerns about potential influence operations targeting specific candidates. These revelations underscore the breadth and sophistication of foreign interference efforts, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance and proactive measures to counter these threats.
The disinformation problem extends beyond foreign interference, encompassing domestic political actors as well. Government agencies and community activists report increasing instances of disinformation targeting Latino communities in various contexts, including disaster relief efforts. FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell notes the need for augmented Spanish-language outreach programs to counter false rumors and disinformation during hurricane recovery efforts. This highlights the opportunistic nature of disinformation campaigns, which exploit moments of vulnerability and uncertainty to spread their narratives.
David Becker, of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, warns that disinformation campaigns could continue throughout the election cycle and potentially fuel claims of a stolen election, particularly in closely contested races. He points to two key factors contributing to the vulnerability of Latino communities to disinformation: the limited availability of credible news sources focused on American politics in Spanish and the tendency for Spanish-language disinformation to go unchecked due to lack of monitoring by English-speaking observers. Addressing these challenges requires proactive efforts to expand access to reliable information in Spanish and bolster monitoring of Spanish-language media for disinformation.
The influence of local "dis-influencers" within Latino communities also plays a significant role in spreading disinformation. These figures, often conservative and deeply embedded within Spanish-speaking communities, leverage their platform to promote false narratives and undermine trust in the electoral process. The case of Alexander Otaola, a Cuban-American conservative influencer, exemplifies this phenomenon. Otaola’s unfounded allegations of voter fraud and his subsequent demand for a recount, despite losing by a significant margin, demonstrate the disruptive potential of these influencers. Their actions can sow confusion, erode trust, and ultimately undermine the integrity of the democratic process.