SUMMARY

The Gulf Cartel - Villareal faction is a splinter group from the Gulf Cartel, named after its leader Miguel Villareal. The Gulf Cartel is made up of numerous factions and gangs, and forces loyal to Villareal fought against another such faction in March 2013.

Miguel Villareal, also known as El Gringo or Gringo Mike, was a member of the Gulf Cartel and one of the local leaders in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. In March 2013 he challenged Mario Armando Ramirez-Treviño for the control of the Reynosa “Plaza”.

Villareal was presumably killed in the conflict against Ramirez-Treviño, although this fact is still disputed by some.

Gulf Cartel – Villareal faction has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organized violence