New Criminal Structures in Mexico (Part 2)
Following up on our last article, these are the other new relevant organized crime groups that are generating violence in the country.
Old School Zetas (Zetas Vieja Escuela)
The Old School Zetas were allegedly formed by José Guizar Valencia, alias “Z-43,” and other dissidents. The group took the name “Old School” because they would stay true to the Zetas original business of drug trafficking, refraining from other predatory criminal activities, such as kidnapping, extortion and oil theft.
They are currently concentrated in northern Veracruz with some presence in other states of the country, such as Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí and Quintana Roo. However, its focus is on the northeastern border with the United States. It has participated in violent clashes against other criminal actors such as Northeast Cartel, Grupo Sombra and CJNG.
The Talibanes
The Talibanes is an armed group from Tamaulipas, created by former Zeta Iván Velázquez Caballero, alias “El Talibán” or “Z-50” who broke away from the organization in 2012 to challenge the leadership.
The organization primarily operates in the states of Zacatecas and San Luis Potosí focusing on microtrafficking, extortion, human trafficking, and kidnapping.
The Viagras
The Viagras emerged after the fragmentation of the two largest criminal groups in the southern state of Michoacán, La Familia Michoacana and Knights Templar.
The Viagras are now one of the most dominant criminal factions in Michoacán’s highlands. The group was allegedly founded in Huetamo, Michoacán, by seven brothers of the Sierra Santana family. But several of them have now been killed or arrested.
This group’s activities are primarily concentrated on methamphetamine trafficking and extortion, with its most important rival being the CJNG.
The war between the Viagras and CJNG in Michoacán is one of the most intense in the country leaving the general population as a victim of the confrontation.
The Rojos
The Rojos currently have an influence in the states of Morelos, Puebla, Mexico State and in the highlands of Guerrero – where opium gum is produced for heroin. The group has been accused of extortion, homicides, kidnappings, human trafficking and forced disappearances.
They have been linked to the disappearances of 43 student students in Ayotzinapa and high levels of violence in Guerrero and Morelos.