SUMMARY

The Guerreros Unidos, United Warriors, are based in the Guerrero and Morelos states, but also seem to be present in the state of México and Puebla state. The group has its roots in the Beltrán Leyva Cartel and was one of several groups that splintered from the cartel after the death of its leader, Arturo Beltrán Leyva, in 2009. The first time the Guerreros Unidos came to public attention was in late 2011, where they left a narcomanta, message, which took the responsibility for several murders in Morelos state, and that challenged the group called Los Rojos for the control of the area.

Initially Guerreros Unidos had close ties to the La Familia Michoacana cartel, however, this has changed and La Familia is now one of Guerreros Unidos enemies. An alternate name of Guerreros Unidos, La Nueva Empresa, could be a remnant from when they wanted to distance themselves from the La Familia cartel. The latter which also have been known as “La Empresa”, roughly translated into “the company”. Los Caballeros Templarios is also often mentioned as one of Guerreros Unidos enemies, but it is Los Rojos that is considered to be the main nemesis of Guerreros Unidos. These two groups have repeatedly clashed in both the Guerrero and Morelos states.

The Guerreros Unidos are involved in drug trade and trafficking in the areas they control, however, they also make money through extortions and kidnappings. In 2014 the full scope of Guerreros Unidos activities and brutal methods became clearer after their involvement in the disappearance, and alleged murder, of 43 students in Iguala, Guerrero.

Guerreros Unidos is considered to have been founded by a man called El Tilde, after his arrest in July 2012 Mario Casarubias Salgado “El Sapo Guapo” took over the leadership. He was, however, arrested in April 2014 and after this the leadership of the group has been somewhat unclear. In the aftermath of the disappearance of 43 students in the town of Iguala, Guerrero, it became evident that Guerreros Unidos have had very close ties to local officials and politicians of the municipality. Their contacts were so well established that even the wife of Iguala´s former mayor, Maria de los Angeles Pineda, had been one of the leaders of Guerreros Unidos for some time.

The Guerreros Unidos has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP violence.