Mexico violence: Controversy over children in militias

Recent images of armed children dressed in fatigues and lined up like soldiers have circulated on Mexican social media.

In Mexico, where street violence is routine, few images have the power to shock.

But a photo of boys as young as eight in fatigues, handling guns in the state of Guerrero has received widespread media coverage.

They are part of a community police force whose mission is to protect the area.

One of Mexico’s most violent states, Guerrero registered a total of 16,000 homicides last year.

Al Jazeera’s Manuel Rapalo reports from Mexico City.