SUMMARY
The Beltrán Leyva Cartel – Valdez Villarreal faction is a splinter group from the Beltrán Leyva Cartel, named after its leader Edgar “El Barbie” Valdez Villarreal. After the death of the Cartel’s leader Arturo “El Barbas” Beltrán Leyva in December 2009, Valdez Villarreal did not accept the new leadership of Hector “El H” Beltrán Leyva, and left the organisation together with forces loyal to him.
The Beltrán Leyva Cartel originates from the Sinaloa Cartel for which the four Beltrán Leyva brothers Arturo, Alfredo, Carlos and Hector, used to work as security enforcers before they split from the cartel in 2008. The Beltrán Leyva brothers, under the leadership of Arturo “El Barbas” Beltrán Leyva, became responsible for controlling a combat force used to fight the other cartels, primarily Los Zetas, the armed wing of the Gulf Cartel. The Beltrán Leyva brothers recruited Edgar “El Barbie” Valdez Villarreal and his force Los Pelones, which soon became one of the most important security forces within the Sinaloa Cartel.
When the Beltrán Leyva Cartel split from the Sinaloa Cartel in 2008, Valdez Villarreal joined his allies in the Beltrán Leyva Cartel and became one of the most powerful persons in the group. Being considered the right hand of Arturo “El Barbas” Beltrán Leyva, Valdez Villarreal expected to keep his position in the cartel following the death of Arturo in December 2009. However, when Arturo’s brother Hector “El H” Beltrán Leyva took control of the group he chose Sergio “El Grande” Villarreal Barragán as his top enforcer and Valdez Villarreal started fighting his former allies in order to take control of the Beltrán Leyva Cartel.
In August 2010 Valdez Villarreal was arrested and since then it has been unclear who is in control of the faction.
Valdez Villarreal’s forces have access to advanced weaponry, such as grenade launchers, and are a well-organised combat group. Torture, decapitations and mutilations of the victims bodies are common and threatening messages to rival groups are often found next to the victims’ bodies.
The Beltrán Leyva Cartel – Valdez Villarreal faction has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.
