Understanding East Coast Mexican gangs, Part 1

Part 1 of a 2-part series

Mexican gangs have been forming in the United States for as long as we have had Mexican immigrants. On the East Coast, however, Mexican gangs are virtually a recent phenomenon. In the past several years, East Coast cities have experienced an increase in the creation of gangs consisting of Mexican Nationals. These gangs are largely Border Brothers gangs.

In Spanish, Border Brothers are called “Hermanos de la Frontera.” Border Brothers are usually illegal immigrants from the same region in Mexico or those who have illegally entered the United States at the same time. These Border Brothers have formed together for social interactions and protection. After a short time, they operate like any other gang.

Many of these Mexican gangs forming on the East Coast maintain strong ties to Mexico, Mexican traditions and their relatives across the United States. The favorite holiday among Mexican immigrants in the U.S. is Cinco De Mayo, the Fifth of May, which observes the Battle of Puebla, fought on May 5, 1862 against the French army’s attempt to take over the town of Puebla. A 2,000-strong Mexican army of soldiers and local citizens armed only with farm tools, defeated 6,000 French Soldiers. Other important dates in the Mexican culture are Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 16 and Revolution Day on Nov. 20th. It is important for law enforcement officers to monitor such celebrations for gang activity while ensuring public safety.

Many believe NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), enacted in 1993 with the promise of an increase in the national employment rate of Mexico, is partly the blame for the influx of illegal Mexican immigrants into the United States. Others feel the doubling of the unemployment rate from 1993 to 1995 and the drop in hourly wages to the lowest in Mexico since 1980, resulting in the Peso Crisis, greatly contributed to the illegal exodus from Mexico during these years.

Gang members throwing TVS sign at an amusement park

Mexican gangs forming on the East Coast during the mid and late 1990s have undergone a metamorphosis from being unsophisticated, loose-knit social cliques to violent street gangs with strengthening alliances. During this time, Mexican street gangs found themselves at odds with many rival gangs of different ethnic backgrounds as well as other Mexican “Border Brother” gangs. As a result, an alliance similar to the People/Folk alliance in the Midwest was formed.

The two ‘umbrella’ nations created were La Gran Raza (The Great Race or Nation) and La Gran Familia (The Great Family). In the chart to the right, this alliance is illustrated. Keep in mind that not all Mexican street gangs are members of this alliance and the alliance may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Sources state that each nation is also affiliated with a powerful Mexican Prison Gang. La Gran Raza is alleged to be affiliated with La Eme (The Mexican Mafia) and La Gran Familia is alleged to be affiliated to Nuestra Familia.

Mexican street gangs on the East Coast have taken on similar traits to other street gangs. Initially, these gangs were social in nature and seldom interacted with other groups unless they were involved in heavy drinking binges. Their structure was loose-knit. Today these gangs are more like their American counterparts. Leadership roles are usually assumed by the most violent member of the gang who assigns the second in command who in turn issues orders to the soldiers. The leader is called “Mero Mero” which means Chief or Godfather. These gangs, which started with victimization of their own people and other Mexican gangs, have slowly developed, in some cases, into drug dealing gangs.

During a debriefing, a member of Chidos Picudos detailed the initiation rite of his gang.He said:

They take you to a street corner, usually near a subway or bus stop. They give you a gun and tell you to stick-up a person for their money. After the stick-up, we meet at a park or schoolyard. We’ll buy a couple of forties with the cash and drink until we get so messed up that we start fighting with anyone around!

Until recently, Mexican street gangs have been careful to claim turf in a neighborhood or at a local hangout. Their usual status as illlegal aliens made them nervous to settle into one area for too long. In past few years, with their continued delving into the drug trade, they have been claiming turf more brazenly and noticeably marking their territory. Turf is not just a barrio anymore, it’s a place of business for these gangsters to sell drugs, extort money from local businesses and commit robberies on passersby. Their overt marking of turf through straightforward graffiti is evidence of their bold new style of gang banging.

NEXT: More on East Coast Mexican gangs, their graffiti, tattoos, code language and their violent nature.

Understanding East Coast Mexican gangs, Part 2