The Narco Cult of Santa Muerte

Transcription

1 The Narco Cult of Santa Muerte By Tony M. Kail A Mexican man holds a statue of La Santa Muerte (St. Death) as he prays during the Day of the Dead celebrations in the district of Tepito in Mexico City, November 2, Mexicans honor their deceased loved ones on November 1st and 2nd. REUTERS/Felipe Courzo 40 Vol.16, No.2 Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International

2 Drug Cartels have created a surge of violence throughout Latin America as they fight for control of trafficking routes into the U.S. The violence has from these groups has trickled into the United States through Texas, Arizona and California. Arson, kidnappings and murder are common techniques of terror used by these groups. The concept of Narco Terrorism is essentially terrorist acts performed in order to further the aims of drug traffickers. Narcoterrorism has many players in that it has connected strands of family drug cartels, human traffickers, street level thug gangs and nationalist groups. Members of narco-terrorist groups frequently surround themselves with cultural trappings that endorse the philosophies of the narco-terrorist mindset. Presently there is an entire narco-culture that embraces a lifestyle of violence, death and indulgence. One of the most popular visible icons found among members of this deadly culture is a figure known as Santa Muerte. Santa Muerte as a spiritual icon has been frequently found among members of three of Mexico s major drug cartels: Gulf, Sinaloa and Juarez as well as the Los Zetas. The use of spiritual icons as a means of psychological warfare is a technique that is as old as time. Early history demonstrates that the use of grim images in warfare gives those that use these techniques a psychological edge over their enemies. Like the Jolly Roger flags of seafaring pirates, the Santa Muerte image communicates to outsiders that the owner does not adhere to modern laws of the land. Santa Muerte also known as Saint Death is an image being used among many narcotics groups throughout the U.S. and Mexico. The icon of a grinning skeletal figure has its historical roots in Mexican folklore. Many of Mexico s poor like those in the slums of Tepito in Mexico City hold on to the image as a source of spiritual hope. The evolution of this image as a form of spiritual protection among drug cartels and street gangs from Latin America is a fascinating cultural phenomena. Writer Homer Aridjis studied the saint and her appearance in the criminal underworld. He comments that Today you are going to sell drugs or you are going to kidnap somebody, you ask her (Santa Muerte) for help so you can commit crimes safely. (i.) Latin American Culture Latin American religious culture is painted with a number of syncretic religions that are a result of two or more religious cultures assimilating elements from each other. Religions such as Afro- Cuban based Santeria, Brazillian Candomble and numerous other spiritual traditions are bountiful throughout Latin American countries. Many of these traditions honor numerous saints, deities and personalities that are indigenous to their landscape and combine elements with religions such as Catholicism. One of the phenomena found in many of the traditions is the concept of folk saints Folk saints are icons and personalities that tend to develop from a need to create a spiritual entity that can explain experiences that official teachings of a religion cannot address. As a result there are a number of icons that are honored by various religious cultures as being saints that are not part of a canonized sainthood within a religion. As one member explained The Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico s patron saint, would not sympathize with a life like hers, tending rather to well-off people with college degrees and nice clothes. Santa Muerte, she said, hears prayers from dark places. Folk Saints such as Gaucho Gill, a spiritual personality from Argentina and Maximon a spiritual being from Guatemala are just two of the hundreds of icons honored by Latin Americans. These folks saints are typically honored in altars and shrines found in homes and businesses in Latin America. In the U.S. many of these images are can be found in images stamped on jewelry, lithographs and statues in Latin American communities in grocery stores and pharmacies known as Botanicas. Santa Muerte is also featured among the faces of many of these folk saints. Her image has been a consistent presence that has also been discovered among numerous drug busts and in the course of search warrants related street gang activity here in the U.S. Santa Muerte is known by many different names including Santisima Muerte ; Holy Death ; The Lady in White and La Flaca or The Skinny One as well as numerous other folk names. She has been known by her characteristics as the patron saint of death ; patron saint of the poor and more recently patron saint of crime. The most popular form of the image is in the form of a statue resembling the grim reaper. The statue is found in a number of colors, each one representing a specific power. For instance the statue that is green represents financial workings or black may be used in protective workings. The statue may be posed in various forms including poses holding the earth or the scales of justice. The statue may be filled with various materials. In many cases the statue can be held upside down and a clear surface can be seen on the bottom of the image. The surface is typically filled with materials such as rice, beans and coins and sealed with wax. These ingredients symbolize various spiritual concepts associated with the image. Over several years a chaotic collection of prayers, rituals and customs have developed around the saint. The rapid popularity of the image has slowly pieced together a cohesive identifiable religious system. Petitions are typically made to the image of the saint. These prayers focus on spiritual and physical protection as well as financial success. Offerings are made to the image in the form of Santa Muerte also known as Saint Death is an image being used among many narcotics groups throughout the U.S. and Mexico. The icon of a grinning skeletal figure has its historical roots in Mexican folklore.

3 alcoholic beverages, tobacco, candy and flowers. Contraband may be placed inside or around the image for protection from authorities. On the Homefront There have been a number of incidents discovered by law enforcement and professional investigators in which the image of Santa Muerte has been discovered alongside criminal activities including gang and drug related activities. In 2007, agents with a multi-jurisdictional task force in Western Tennessee made an amazing discovery during the execution of a search warrant. Shrines dedicated to Santa Muerte were placed throughout the residence where several pounds of marijuana were being hidden and sold. Statues of various colors were placed among offerings of rum, cigars and coins. One of the suspects arrested at the scene explained to the investigators that the statue was protecting his work. Passaic New Jersey 2008, investigators with a statewide gang enforcement unit discover a shrine dedicated to Muerte while investigating a local brothel being used for prostitution and narcotics sales. Images of the saint are found in the back of the residence with offerings of coins, corn and names written on strips of paper.(ii.) A similar case developed in September of 2009 Southampton New York where police raided suspected brothels and arrested a group of men and women operating a prostitution ring. Inside the brothels, shrines dedicated to Santa Muerte were being maintained to ward off detection by law enforcement authorities.(iii.) Law enforcement agencies have learned to look for the patron saint as a possible red flag of narcotics use and various illegal activities. In Bisbee Arizona in 2006 a judge allowed prosecutors to used evidence pertaining to the saint to be used in a court case involving drug trafficking across the U.S. and Mexican border. A female trafficking 59 pounds of cocaine and 25 pounds of methamphetamine in the framework of her vehicle. The trafficker carried amulets and statues of Santa Muerte as a form of protection as she brought the contraband into the U.S. (iv.) 42 Muerte s image has appeared among ties of police corruption in Mexico. A major crackdown by the Mexican military in March of 2009 netted one of Mexico s highest rated drug traffickers along with 12 Mexican law enforcement officers that were found to be tied to narcotic crimes. Officers involved in street gang investigations are reporting the discovery of Santa Muerte in the tattoos and jewelry of member of terroristic gangs such as Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), 18th Street and Latin Kings. Photographs obtained during investigations have been discovered with gang members throwing gang signs in front of altars and shrines dedicated to Santa Muerte. One photograph revealed the colors or bandana of a Latin King gang member draped across the statue of Muerte. Another featured a bag of marijuana hanging from the arm of a statute of Muerte. In November of 2009, Deputies in Walworth County Wisconsin discovered images of Santa Muerte used to guard a pound of cocaine being sold by a father and son in the local community. (v.) Across the Border Mexican federal authorities are noting an increase in the discovery of Santa Muerte images among the jewelry and tattoos of victims of violent crime. An entire culture of images and music built around narcocultura has been building for several years. Narcocultura has been marked by an entire genre of music with lyrics centering around drug cartels and violence. The culture glorifies the Mexican drug gangster lifestyle. Icons such as Santa Muerte and the bandit Jesus Malverde are the spiritual icons of this movement. Mexican drug traffickers have embraced the Narcocultura in similar manner in which American street gangs like the Bloods and Crips have historically embraced gangster rap music and culture. One of the most infamous leaders of the Mexican Gulf Cartel, Gilberto Garcia Mena was known to be a follower of Santa Muerte. During a federal raid on his home, law enforcement authorities discovered a number of statues and shrines dedicated to the saint. Beheadings appear to be a typical modus operandi among many Mexican drug cartels. A discovery in Mexico s Yucatan Peninsula in 2008 may indicate some ties between the cartels and the worship of Santa Muerte. The heads from eleven decapitated bodies were discovered near an altar dedicated to Santa Muerte. The following day police arrested members of the Los Zetas drug cartel in a nearby shootout. (vi.) Muerte s image has appeared among ties of police corruption in Mexico. A major crackdown by the Mexican military in March of 2009 netted one of Mexico s highest rated drug traffickers along with 12 Mexican law enforcement officers that were found to be tied to narcotic crimes. The raid took place during the birthday party for a 15 yr old girl where an ex-soldier in the Mexican army was arrested sporting a 9mm with a custom gold plated Santa Muerte grip. (vii.) Shrines dedicated to Santa Muerte can be found throughout areas of Mexcio. News reports from Mexico support rumors that drug dealers have built exquisite shrines to the death saint complete with altars built of gold and precious gemstones placed in statues. Vol.16, No.2 Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International

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5 In March of 2009 Mexican authorities accompanied bulldozers to complete the destruction of over thirty shrines near the city of Nueva Laredo in March of Local officials claimed that the image of the saint represented undesirable criminal elements. (viii.) Dangerous Migration The proliferation of illegal drug trafficking and the growth of human trafficking from Latin American countries has brought federal authorities into contact with many of Muerte s followers coming into the U.S. In 2006, high ranking members of the Zetas drug cartel in Texas were indicted on a number of drug related charges including the stabbing of two men. The men reportedly took blood from their victims and used in a toast to Santa Muerte before burning their victims bodies. (ix.) March of 2007 Immigration officials discovered possible links between human trafficking and Santa Muerte. An SUV carrying several illegal immigrants attempting to enter the U.S. was _LegalAd_7x5_4C_Layout 1 3/16/10 10:18 AM Page 1 covered in images of Santa Muerte. One passenger claimed that the image would protect the vehicle s cargo. (x) Later in October of 2009, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Charlotte North Carolina discovered a human trafficking ring that forced underage girls into the sex trade. The leader of the ring, Mexican nationalist Jorge Flores Rojas was discovered building a shrine to Santa Muerte who was believed to protect his criminal activities. (xi) In March of 2009, Laredo Texas authorities arrested members of an American sleeper cell working for the Los Zetas Mexican drug cartel. Reta was designated as a hitman for the cartel for a sleeper cell in the U.S. Reta testified that he and other teens were put through military style training camps in Mexico by the cartel. The cartel promised the teens $ a week as a retainer and $50, and 2 kilograms of cocaine when they carried out a hit. When arrested by Laredo police, Reta and his associates were decorated in tattoos of Santa Muerte. (xii.) Conclusions Investigative agencies should be aware that the icon of Santa Muerte can be a red flag to indicate the presence of contraband or criminal activity. Altars or shrines may be discovered in vehicles, residences or businesses. Images of the saint may be found in tattoos or worn on jewelry. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE OR MASTER OF SCIENCE IN Legal Studies % O N L I N E D E G R E E HOMELAND SECURITY TRACK CERTIFICATE IN HOMELAND SECURITY also available LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY TRACK CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRACK The 100% online curriculum provides students with a strong foundation in criminal, family, real estate, administrative and business law. It also includes a set of competencies in legal research and writing, litigation, estates and trusts, bankruptcy, ethics and constitutional law. Cal U s Web-based format allows students the opportunity to pursue their interests in a variety of legal topics, preparing them for a host of different career options. To learn more about the 100% online BS and MS in Legal Studies: Law & Public Policy, Homeland Security and Criminal Justice tracks, and other unique online opportunities, visit Cal U s website at or call California University of Pennsylvania School of Graduate Studies and Research Building Character. Building Careers. A proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. CALU GLOBAL ONLINE 44 Vol.16, No.2 Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International

6 It is certain that Santa Muerte has many follower who are not involved in criminal activity. However, the presence of the icon among narcoterrorists cannot be underestimated. The image continues to appear among the evidence at crime scenes and in the possession of drug dealers. One high profile case involving the shooting of an off duty border patrol agent and his daughter in Mission Texas revealed that suspects in the case kept several shrines to the saint in their residence. (xiii.) The image and folklore surrounding Santa Muerte as a source of personal empowerment and a symbol of terror appears similar to the pattern used by many world dictators. Historically, figures such as Haiti s Papa Doc Duvalier, Cuba s Fidel Castro and Panama s Manuel Noriega utilized indigenous beliefs to create fear in enemies and obedience among their people. Symbols play a part in the creation and behavior of terrorist activities. Symbols can be used to identify groups or even be a point of personal motivation. Santa Muerte as a symbol used by narco-terrorists appears to affect the behavior of those who combine her image with criminal activities. Santa Muerte is embraced as a literal angel of death that can comfort those on the fringes of society that might otherwise lack spiritual courage to commit acts of crime or violence. The supernatural empowerment that some individuals may feel while engaging in these types of religious activities may provide additional fervor in which to commit heinous acts of violence while living the dark lifestyle in the narco world. An enlightening recent speech from Facundo Rosas, the newest commissioner of the Mexican Federal Police focused on what he called the explosive mixture of religion and crime found in Mexican criminal organizations. Citing examples of Latin criminal organizations, Rosas hit on some very crucial information. (xiv) This mixture may take the already dangerous narco-terrorist groups into a new form that combines radical religious terror alongside narcoterrorst activities. Remember the Victims of 9/11 Support the Flag of Honor and Flag of Heroes The inspiration behind the Flag of Honor and the Flag of Heroes was to immortalize the individual victims that were killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, The Flag of Honor contains the names of all those that perished in the World Trade Towers, the Pentagon, United flights 175 and 93, and American flights 11 and 77.* The Flag of Heroes contains the names of the emergency services personnel - the heroes who gave their lives so that others could live. Together these flags give the families, friends, all of America and the world, symbols that will forever memorialize, individually, the men, women and children who were lost that dreadful day. About the Author Tony M. Kail serves as a law enforcement consultant on African religious cultures. Kail has served as guest lecturer for numerous gang investigative units and law enforcement departments. He is the author of Magico-Religious Groups and Ritualistic Activities: A Guide for First Responders from CRC Press. He can be contacted through his website at The IACSP has been granted permission to sell the posters and flags on our site. Please visit us online and help us support and remember. References for this article can be provided by contacting the author at: