Los Cabrera are a criminal cell that has dominated Durango for years. They have done so discreetly, without seeking attention, even controlling common crime, which has resulted in the state having one of the lowest violence rates in the country; however, in the last two years they have come under the radar of authorities.
The reasons why Los Cabrera have attracted attention in the last two years are three. The first is that they have become the main allies of Ismael Zambada Sicairos, “El Mayito Flaco,” in his war with Los Chapitos, being responsible for sending personnel to Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Sonora, and Zacatecas.
The second consists of the accusations against Esteban Villegas Villarreal, governor of Durango, as well as several officials in his administration, of protecting Los Cabrera, which has even sparked rumors that the governor is under investigation by the FGR and the United States government.
And the third was the participation of Los Cabrera in an extortion scheme against businessmen in different sectors, together with the regional leadership of the Confederación Autónoma de Trabajadores y Empleados de México (CATEM), led by Édgar Rodríguez Ortiz, “El Limones.”
The consolidation process of Los Cabrera
Due to its proximity to Sinaloa and its complex geography, which allows the cultivation of marijuana and poppy as well as hiding places for cartel leaders in mountainous areas, Durango has for decades been a natural operating area for the Sinaloa Cartel, but also a scene of internal disputes.
In the 1990s, some leadership groups began to consolidate in different parts of the state: the García and the Bardales in the Comarca Lagunera; the Canelos gang in Canelas, linked to Ignacio Coronel; the Emes in the northern part of the state; and Los Cabrera in Santiago Papasquiaro, on the border with Sinaloa.
Each of these cells, all linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, began expanding their territories, leading to a unique phenomenon in which part of Durango’s violence was generated by internal disputes within cells belonging to the same organization.
The first violent confrontation occurred between the Canelos and Los Cabrera over territorial boundaries, since Canelas and Santiago Papasquiaro are neighboring municipalities and both cells sought control of Durango’s capital and the Sinaloa border. This dispute lasted from 2008 to 2013, ultimately tipping in favor of Los Cabrera due to the 2013 arrest of Canelos leader Humberto Rodríguez Coronel, as well as the killing of Ignacio “Nacho” Coronel in 2010.
Almost simultaneously with the conflict with the Canelos, Los Cabrera opened another front against the Emes in the northern part of the state, who also had operations in southern Chihuahua. This conflict also ended around 2013, resulting in Los Cabrera gaining control of most of Durango.
Los Cabrera have controlled Durango since 2015
The only area still controlled by another cell was the Comarca Lagunera, dominated by the Danny’s or the Cártel del Poniente, which, besides Gómez Palacio and Lerdo, also had influence in Torreón, Coahuila. Since 2010, Los Cabrera sought to take over this area, and the conflict lasted until 2015.
In fact, between 2011 and 2013, the Metropolitan Zone of Torreón became, due to the conflict between Los Cabrera, the Cártel del Poniente, and also Los Zetas, one of the most dangerous cities in Mexico.
Los Zetas, for their part, were the only external organization that had the opportunity to dispute control of Durango, but their influence never extended beyond the Comarca Lagunera and was always stronger on the Coahuila side than on the Durango side.
The reality is that from 2015 onward, Los Cabrera can be considered the absolute rulers of Durango, which allowed them to infiltrate government structures to strengthen their power and even expand their influence into neighboring states such as Chihuahua, Zacatecas, and Coahuila.
Today, Los Cabrera are present in all 39 municipalities of Durango, and although both Los Chapitos and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel are also operating, their presence is very discreet. The CJNG had a brief incursion into Durango City and Mezquital, while Los Chapitos, through Aureliano Guzmán Loera “El Guano,” are strong in Tamazula, while in the other six municipalities where they are present, their influence is minor.
The future of Los Cabrera
One of the strengths of Los Cabrera was their discretion; however, today they are under the spotlight due to their leading role in the struggle between La Mayiza and Los Chapitos, which could lead to three possible scenarios:
- Weakening if the offensive by the governments of Mexico and the United States against them increases, as a way to combat La Mayiza or to open a case against Esteban Villegas.
- Strengthening by expanding their territorial influence, as they are the strongest group within La Mayiza of the Sinaloa Cartel, especially if Los Chapitos lose ground.
- The creation of a new regional cartel, in case Ismael Zambada Sicairos is arrested or killed, since they would have the capacity to take control of La Mayiza or become independent.
Source: grupoanimal
