SUMMARY

Los Rojos, The Reds, is a criminal organisation based in Guerrero and Morelos state, Mexico. Los Rojos was created in 2011 and has its origins in the Beltrán Leyva Cartel. Los Rojos was one of several groups that splintered from that cartel in the period following the death of its leader, Arturo Beltrán Leyva, in 2009.

Los Rojos was founded by Crisoforo Rogelio Maldonado which was shot to death in December 2012, in a hospital in Mexico City where he was recovering from earlier gunshot wounds. Several leaders in Los Rojos have since then been killed or arrested, for instance, in April 2014 the two top leaders, Antonio Reina Castillo and Ismael Castillo Marino, were arrested by Mexican authorities. And in May that same year another leader was arrested, Leonor Nava Romero called “El Tigre”. This have in some occasions led to unrest and internal fighting within the group.

Los Rojos is the main enemy of the group called Guerreros Unidos and these two have fought each other for the control over the drug routes that crosses the north of Guerrero state. Los Rojos have also clashed with a group called Los Ardillos in the state of Guerrero. In addition to drug trade Los Rojos have a source of income through kidnappings and extortion.

Los Rojos based in Guerrero and Morelos is not to be confused with the gang Los Rojos part of the Gulf Cartel based in Tamaulipas state.

Los Rojos has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP violence.