A series of anonymous and offensive text messages are being sent to members of the Black, Latino and LGBTQ communities in the United States, in a context that has raised significant concerns about security and intimidation following the presidential election.

The messages, with racist and threatening content, were sent through masked phone numbers, with some saying that the recipients had been "selected" for deportation, re-education camps or forced labor on plantations. Although the FBI confirmed that the messages did not result in violence, the situation generated alarm in several communities, according to a report by NBC News.

Several recipients shared their experiences, reporting shock, fear, and insecurity. According to the publication, a college student, for example, expressed surprise and concern about how her number was obtained, as well as reporting that other people in her network also received similar messages. The messages were widely denounced on social networks, with users from different American universities, such as Ohio State University and the University of Southern California, among others, reporting having received similar texts. In addition to students, even high school adolescents and people of other ages were targeted, indicating that the scope of the problem isextensive.

Authorities and organizations reacted quickly. The FBI is investigating the case in conjunction with the Justice Department and local authorities, while universities and groups such as the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) have condemned the messages and offered support to the victims. Technology companies, such as TextNow, which was used to send the texts, deactivated the related accounts and pledged to cooperate with the investigations.

The polarizing rhetoric of the post-election context has been pointed out as a possible catalyst for these acts of intimidation. While some believe the messages reflect an increase in racist attitudes following the election of Donald Trump, others suggest they could be part of an attempt to attribute this behavior to the Republican campaign. Trump's own campaign condemned the texts and denied any involvement, calling the situation a fabricated absurdity to damage his image.

Although messages have decreased, there is a sense that this incident may be just the beginning of an increase in racist attacks and digital intimidation. Finally, the episode raises questions about how political discourse and social dynamics can fuel episodes of hatred and division, with authorities and communities seeking ways to confront and contain these threats. The ongoing investigation seeks to identify those responsible and prevent similar episodes from recurring, but the perception of vulnerability persists among the most affected groups.