Small Wars Journal

Mexican Cartel Strategic Note No. 24: Cartel and Gang Provision of Post-Earthquake Humanitarian Aid

Sat, 10/21/2017 - 8:17pm

Mexican Cartel Strategic Note No. 24: Cartel and Gang Provision of Post-Earthquake Humanitarian Aid

John P. Sullivan and Robert J. Bunker

In the aftermath of earthquakes in southern Mexico (felt in Oaxaca, Chiapas, Morelos, Puebla, and Mexico City) in September 2017, cartels and gangs (specifically the Cártel del Golfo [CDG] and the Gente Nueva del Tigre y Carteles Unidos) are reported to have sent humanitarian aid to affected areas.[1] The provision of such aid—usually a symbolic effort—should be considered a component of ongoing cartel ‘information operations’ which seek to undermine opposing cartel and governmental influence in targeted population areas and replace it with feelings of goodwill towards the initiating cartel.

Cártel del Golfo and Cártel del Tigre Logos

Source: Cartel Social Media

Key Information: “Aparece en Chihuahua acopio para damnificados… donado por un ¡grupo delictivo!” Proceso, 23 September 2017, http://www.proceso.com.mx/504683/aparece-en-chihuahua-acopio-damnificados-donado-grupo-delictivo.

CHIHUAHUA, Chih. (proceso.com.mx).- En la calle 19a y Ferrocarril del fraccionamiento Independencia en la ciudad Cuauhtémoc, apareció un donativo en especie para las víctimas del sismo en el centro y sur del país, presuntamente colocado por integrantes del grupo delictivo “Gente nueva de El Tigre”, quien habría relevado en el control de la plaza a quien era líder de La Línea en esa región, César Raúl Gamboa Sosa, “El Cabo”, abatido en marzo pasado.

“Les mandamos este apoyo esperemos que les sirva a los damnificados del terremoto. Nosotros estamos para ayudar al pueblo. Atte Gente nueva del TIGRE, carteles unidos (sic)”, dice una cartulina pegada en una pared del lugar en el que dejaron cajas con alimentos, papel higiénico y otros apoyos.

De acuerdo con medios locales, los artículos donados fueron trasladados en ambulancias a la Cruz Roja, institución que recibió el aviso de la donación.

Las imágenes del donativo fueron publicadas también por un grupo de Facebook que se llama Cuauhtémoc sin miedo, en el que la mayoría de los usuarios agradece al grupo y reprueba la actitud de los políticos que han ayudan al pueblo.

La publicación ha sido compartida casi 2 mil veces y ha alcanzado casi 3 mil reacciones de “me gusta, me encanta o me sorprende”.

Poster claiming credit for earthquake relief supplies from El Gente Nuevo del TIGRE Carteles unidos (New People TIGRES united cartels): “Les mandamos este apoyo esperemos que les sirva a los damnificados del terrmoto. Nosotros estamos para ayudor al pueblo.  Atte: Gente Nuevo del TIGRE Carteles unidos.

Source: Cartel Social Media

Key Information: “A Collection for Earthquake Victims Appears in Chihuahua Donated by Criminal Group.” Borderland Beat, 25 September 2017, http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2017/09/a-collection-for-earthquake-victims.html#more.

On 19th and Ferrocarril de Independencia Street in Cuauhtémoc City, a donation in kind appeared for the victims of the earthquake in the central and southern part of the country, presumably placed by members of the criminal group “Gente nueva del TIGRE”, who took control of the plaza from César Raúl Gamboa Sosa, “The Sergeant”, slaughtered last March for control of the square.

“We send them this support, let’s hope it serves the earthquake victims. We are here to help the people. Attn: Gente nueva del TIGRE, united cartels (sic)”, says a piece of cardboard stuck on a wall where they left boxes with food, toilet paper and other aid.

According to local media, donated items were transported by ambulance to the Red Cross, which received the donation notice.

The images of the donation were also published by a Facebook group called Cuauhtémoc without fear, in which most users thank the group and condemn the attitude of the politicians who have helped the town.

The publication has been shared almost 2,000 times and has reached almost 3,000 reactions of “I like”, “I love” or “I am surprised”…

Key Information: “Deja grupo criminal víveres por sismo.” El Diario de Chihuahua, 24 September 2017, http://mobile.diario.mx/Estado/2017-09-23_66f46967/deja-grupo-criminal-viveres-por-sismo/.

Cuauhtémoc— Miembros de la Cruz Roja y de un albergue acudieron a calles del fraccionamiento Independencia para recoger una despensa que según primeros informes, proviene de un ‘grupo criminal’.

Fue en el transcurso de la mañana cuando paramédicos llegaron a este lugar ubicado frente al parque San Antonio para atender un reporte que mencionaba que podrían disponer de la ayuda destinada a los damniIcados del centro y sur del país.

Rescatistas dijeron que se encontró una cartulina en donde un grupo criminal se atribuye la ayuda.

Sin embargo, al momento de recoger la ayuda, integrantes de un albergue ubicado por el sector, también solicitaron su derecho a utilizar dicho recurso, sin embargo la totalidad de lo recabado fue trasladado por la Cruz Roja al centro de acopio ubicado en sus oIcinas en esta ciudad.

Al respecto, el titular de la Fiscalía General del Estado (FGE) en la Zona Occidente, Jesús ManuelCarrasco Chacón, comentó que con acciones como estas, el grupo criminal busca una aInidad con lapoblación, pero olvidan que el recurso con el que compraron dicha ayuda, proviene de las drogas conlas que enferman a la sociedad.

Finalmente, el incidente causó un revuelo en redes sociales por la difusión de las imágenes en cuyoscomentarios algunas personas caliIcaron como positiva esta donación y por otro lado, el enojo dequienes destacaron las actividades que realiza el grupo delictivo que se adjudicó la autoría de estadonación.

Key Information: “Los Narcos y sus donativos a victimas del Temblor, debemos juzgar esta ayuda?” El Blog del Narco, 27 September 2017, https://elblogdelnarco.com/2017/09/27/los-narcos-y-sus-donativos-a-victimas-del-temblor-debemos-juzgar-esta-ayuda/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mundonarcocom+%28El+Blog+del+narco%29.

Reynosa, Tamaulipas.-Mediante imágenes compartidas en redes sociales se dio a conocer que supuestamente el Cártel del Golfo (CDG) de Reynosa y Río Bravo.

Que se encuentran en plena guerra con otros grupos rivales del mismo CDG mandaron de acuerdo a lo que se informo varias toneladas de ayuda de víveres como agua, despensas y cobijas,asi como material de curación etc y que fueron enviadas a las personas damnificadas de Oaxaca por los recientes sismos que afectaron mayormente a las personas de ese estado.

En la información compartida se dice que esta ayuda es como una  forma de desinteresado apoyo hacia las víctimas del desastre, las cosas presentaban emblema del C.D.G Reynosa y Río Bravo.

Muy bien x ellos ojala todos ayudaran asi… No importa a lo que se dediquen…. Los del gobierno se dedican a lo mismo pero con traje y corbata cual es la diferencia?….que el gobierno no ayuda….

Al final no importa de donde viene es apoyo para gente que lo necesita, el dinero de los políticos es limpio? No verdad, y Han apoyado?.. tampoco.

Admiro mas este acto x los demas que el pinche gobierno de mierda ha pero cuando necesitan del pueblos hasta despensa y dinero te regalan y de donde sale de los impuestos metes tiempo extra y el fin de semana ni las oras ni el esfuerzo valio xq te kitaron mas de lo que ganas en en dia y eso no lo vemos solo nos conformamos con lo que nos toca bien x ustedes

Otros mas no estuvieron de acuerdo con este hecho ya que creen es mentira pero la mayoria apoyo la ayuda que brindo el CDG.

Recordemos que hace 3 dias el sabado otro grupo del narcotráfico en Chihuahua también se solidarizo con las victimas de los temblores.

Fue en la ciudad Cuauhtémoc donde apareció en la calle un donativo en especie para las víctimas del sismo en el centro y sur del país, presuntamente colocado por integrantes del grupo delictivo “Gente nueva de El Tigre”, quien habría relevado en el control de la plaza a quien era líder de La Línea en esa región, César Raúl Gamboa Sosa ,”El Cabo”, abatido en marzo pasado.

“Les mandamos este apoyo esperemos que les sirva a los damnificados del terremoto. Nosotros estamos para ayudar al pueblo. Atte Gente nueva del TIGRE, carteles unidos (sic)”, dice una cartulina pegada en una pared del lugar en el que dejaron cajas con alimentos, papel higiénico y otros apoyos.

De acuerdo con medios locales, los artículos donados fueron trasladados en ambulancias a la Cruz Roja, institución que recibió el aviso de la donación.

Las imágenes del donativo fueron publicadas también por un grupo de Facebook que se llama Cuauhtémoc sin miedo, en el que la mayoría de los usuarios agradece al grupo y reprueba la actitud de los políticos que poco o nada han hecho para apoyar a la gente.

Stockpile of Water Bottles for Humanitarian Earthquake Aid Assembled by Cártel del Golfo (CDG).  Packages marked “CDG :: Rio Bravo/Reynosa :: Dios Los Bendiga!”

Source: Cartel Social Media

Analysis

Mexico experienced two major earthquakes, both accompanied by a series of aftershocks, during September 2017.  The 7 September quake registered a magnitude 8.2, impacting Oaxaca and Chiapas with 98 deaths.[2]  The 19 September 2017 earthquake, a magnitude  7.1 centered near Puebla, resulted in at least 344 deaths (205 in Mexico City).[3]  The earthquakes occurred less than two weeks apart and followed tropical storms Lidia and Katia in early September.[4] 

Among concerns that humanitarian aid would be diverted into the illicit market due to endemic corruption and insecurity[5], Mexican cartels and gangs have once again defied expectations and are reported to have made charitable contributions to victims of the earthquakes.  In this case, the Cártel del Golfo (CDG) and the Gente Nueva del Tigre y Carteles Unidos (del Eastado Fronterizo de Chihuahua)—a faction associated with the Sinaloa Cartel—are reported to have assembled disaster humanitarian aide packages for the victims of earthquakes in southern Mexico.

This is not the first case of cartels and associated gangs providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief.  In 2013, for example, the Cártel del Golfo (CDG) and Los Zetas both made humanitarian disaster relief contributions of food and water to victims of Hurricanes Ingrid and Matthew in Tamaulipas. In that case, the cartels publicized their humanitarian relief efforts on social media and through banners and posters (narcomantas).[6][7]

The aftermath of a major disaster provide an opportunity for both crime (looting and violence) and the opportunity to gain legitimacy through the provision of utilitarian social goods.  This not only enhances the public standing of the cartel and gang’s leadership in the areas within which they operate but also provides opportunity to launder funds and transport contraband, solidifying their market and territorial control.[8]

The after-effects can also contribute to perceptions of weakness and lack of capacity among state actors if they are unable to effectively provide aid and security.  For example, attacks against humanitarian aid workers in Oaxaca following the 8.1 magnitude quake on 7 September 2017 and a 6.1 aftershock on 23 September 2017 call state security capacity into question.  According to a report in Crux (a Catholic newsmagazine), “One person was shot, another was beaten and a woman was raped when a group of young people carrying earthquake relief supplies was attacked by an armed group in Oaxaca, Mexico. Carlos Arvizú, administrator of the Papa Francisco Pro Felicitas foundation, said the government is not doing enough to protect people trying to provide humanitarian aid to the victims of the September 7 and 23 earthquakes.”[9]

The provision of utilitarian disaster relief (humanitarian aid) by cartels and associated gangs strengthens the social standing of the narcos within the areas they operate.  Essentially, the narcos exploit “information operations and utilitarian provision of social goods to delegitimize their adversaries (rival gangs and the state alike).”[10]  This helps them establish the perception as being popular rebels or ‘social bandits’ as described by Hobsbawm.[11]

To further perceptions of this popular standing, the Proceso and Borderland Beat pieces mention the sharing of the Cártel del Tigre donation post—“almost 2,000 times and has reached almost 3,000 reactions of ‘I like’, ‘I love’ or ‘I am surprised’”—via the Cuauhtémoc group on Facebook.  Such shares and reactions can easily and cheaply be purchased for about $1825 pesos ($100 dollars) via a number of online websites utilizing Facebook bot farms for such purposes.[12][13] It should be recognized that this phenomena represents an extension of the social bandit narrative to the 21st century internet. It follows in the aftermath of a major disaster, is being capitalized on by both Cártel del Golfo and Cartel del Tigre, and in the case of the later is being aided by ‘mercenary’ bots to create positive social media press for their supposedly ‘unselfish humanitarian activities.’

Sources

“Aparece en Chihuahua acopio para damnificados… donado por un ¡grupo delictivo!” Proceso, 23 September 2017, http://www.proceso.com.mx/504683/aparece-en-chihuahua-acopio-damnificados-donado-grupo-delictivo.

“A Collection for Earthquake Victims Appears in Chihuahua Donated by Criminal Group.” Borderland Beat, 25 September 2017, http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2017/09/a-collection-for-earthquake-victims.html#more.

“Deja grupo criminal víveres por sismo.” El Diario de Chihuahua, 24 September 2017, http://mobile.diario.mx/Estado/2017-09-23_66f46967/deja-grupo-criminal-viveres-por-sismo/.

“Los Narcos y sus donativos a victimas del Temblor, debemos juzgar esta ayuda?” El Blog del Narco. 27 September 2017, https://elblogdelnarco.com/2017/09/27/los-narcos-y-sus-donativos-a-victimas-del-temblor-debemos-juzgar-esta-ayuda/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mundonarcocom+%28El+Blog+del+narco%29.

End Notes

[1] A series of major earthquakes and aftershocks occurred in Mexico during September 2017.  The first major earthquake with an 8.2 magnitude occurred offshore of Oaxaca on 7 September.  The second major quake with a 7.1 magnitude occurred on 19 September near Puebla and resulted in significant damage in Mexico City.  Both events were accompanied by aftershock sequences.

[2] UN Resident Coordinator Situation Report—Mexico—13 September 2017 (in Spanish), http://www.paho.org/disasters/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=2531&Itemid=1179&lang=en.

[3] The 19 September earthquake’s death toll reached 344 (205 in CDMX) on 28 September.  The estimated fiscal impact of that quake and the earlier quake on 7 September and their aftershocks is placed at an estimated @2 billion (38.1 billion pesos).  Associated Press, “Mexico quake death toll 344 as most collapse sites cleared.” ABC News, 28 September 2017, http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/mexico-quake-death-toll-343-collapse-sites-cleared-50156095.

[4] International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies, “Mexico: Red Cross teams providing urgent rescue and first aid for earthquake victims.” ReliefWeb, 20 September 2017, https://reliefweb.int/report/mexico/mexico-red-cross-teams-providing-urgent-rescue-and-first-aid-earthquake-victims.

[5] Paulina Villegas and Elisabeth Malkin, “As Mexico Earthquake Aid Mounts, Many Fear It Will Be Diverted.” New York Times, 11 September 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/11/world/americas/mexico-earthquake-aid.html?mcubz=1&_r=0.

[6] John P. Sullivan, “Mexican Cartel Strategic Note No. 15:  Skullduggery or Social Banditry? Cartel Humanitarian Aid.” Small Wars Journal, 25 November 2013, http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/mexican-cartel-strategic-note-no-15-skullduggery-or-social-banditry-cartel-humanitarian-aid.

[7] For an example of social media promulgation of cartel humanitarian aide, see the following video posted on Twitter: “CDG dona víveres para víctimas del Terremoto #SismoMx.” YouTube, 26 September 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk9KU1yGM28.

[8] Angelika Albaladejo and Mike LaSusa (InSight Crime), “How climate change makes crime and insecurity worse in one of the world's most violent regions.” Business Insider, 25 September 2017, http://www.businessinsider.com/how-climate-change-makes-crime-and-insecurity-worse-in-latin-america-2017-9.

[9] Associated Press, “Volunteers attacked delivering quake aid in southern Mexico.” Crux, 28 September 2017, https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2017/09/28/volunteers-attacked-delivering-quake-aid-southern-mexico/ and “Violaron a una joven y balearon a otros dos voluntarios que llevaban ayuda para los damnificados del terremoto en México.” Infobae, 28 September 2017, http://www.infobae.com/america/mexico/2017/09/28/violaron-a-una-joven-y-balearon-a-otros-dos-voluntarios-que-llevaban-ayuda-para-los-damnificados-del-terremoto-en-mexico/.  These occurred after the 7 September quake and a 6.1 aftershock on 23 September.

[10] John P. Sullivan, “How Illicit Networks Impact Sovereignty,” in Michael Miklaucic and Jacqueline Brewer (Eds.), Convergence: Illicit Networks and National Security in the Age of Globalization. Washington, DC: National Defense University Press, 2015, 180-181.

[11] Eric Hobsbawm, Bandits. New York: The New Press, 1969, 2000.

[12] Mexican cartel ‘weaponization’ of Facebook has been identified for some time now. See, Joseph Cox, “Mexico’s Drug Cartels Love Social Media.” Vice, 4 November 2013, https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/znwv8w/mexicos-drug-cartels-are-using-the-internet-to-get-up-to-mischief and Christopher Woody, “Drug cartels have turned social-media sites like Facebook into one of their most potent weapons.” Business Insider, 13 April 2016, http://www.businessinsider.com/drug-cartels-using-social-media-sites-for-crime-extortion-2016-4

[13] Social media bot use, however, is only typically discussed with regard to Mexican political parties and the government. See, Mike Orcutt, “Twitter Mischief Plagues Mexico’s Election.” MIT Technology Review, 21 June 2012, https://www.technologyreview.com/s/428286/twitter-mischief-plagues-mexicos-election/ and Klint Finely, “Pro-Government Twitter Bots Try to Hush Mexican Activists.” Wired, 23 August 2015, https://www.wired.com/2015/08/pro-government-twitter-bots-try-hush-mexican-activists/.

Additional Reading

John P. Sullivan, “Criminal Insurgency: Narcocultura, Social Banditry, and Information Operations.” Small Wars Journal, 3 December 2012.

John P. Sullivan, “Insurgencia Criminal: Narcocultura, Bandidos Sociales y Operaciones de Información.” Small Wars Journal, 4 November 2013.

John P. Sullivan, “Mexican Cartel Strategic Note No. 15: Skullduggery or Social Banditry? Cartel Humanitarian Aid.” Small Wars Journal, 25 November 2013.

About the Author(s)

Dr. John P. Sullivan was a career police officer. He is an honorably retired lieutenant with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, specializing in emergency operations, transit policing, counterterrorism, and intelligence. He is currently an Instructor in the Safe Communities Institute (SCI) at the Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California. Sullivan received a lifetime achievement award from the National Fusion Center Association in November 2018 for his contributions to the national network of intelligence fusion centers. He completed the CREATE Executive Program in Counter-Terrorism at the University of Southern California and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the College of William and Mary, a Master of Arts in Urban Affairs and Policy Analysis from the New School for Social Research, and a PhD from the Open University of Catalonia (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya). His doctoral thesis was “Mexico’s Drug War: Cartels, Gangs, Sovereignty and the Network State.” He can be reached at jpsullivan@smallwarsjournal.com.

Dr. Robert J. Bunker is Director of Research and Analysis, C/O Futures, LLC, and an Instructor at the Safe Communities Institute (SCI) at the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy. He holds university degrees in political science, government, social science, anthropology-geography, behavioral science, and history and has undertaken hundreds of hours of counterterrorism training. Past professional associations include Minerva Chair at the Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College and Futurist in Residence, Training and Development Division, Behavioral Science Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy, Quantico. Dr. Bunker has well over 500 publications—including about 40 books as co-author, editor, and co-editor—and can be reached at docbunker@smallwarsjournal.com.