Cártel Santa Rosa de Lima (CSRL) Logo and Symbols Identification

Chivis Martinez Borderland Beat  from Small Wars Journal

Mexican Cartel Tactical Note #41: Cártel Santa Rosa de Lima (CSRL) Logo and Symbols Identification

By Robert J. Bunker and John P. Sullivan

The Cártel de Santa Rosa de Lima (CSRL), also known as the Cártel de Guanajuato, Cártel de Santa Rosa, or el Cártel del Marro, is a criminal cartel operating in the Mexican state of Guanajuato (Gto.). Its principle enterprise is huichicol or fuel theft.[1] The competition for the illicit petroleum trade has led to violent conflict with their rival—the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). This tactical note reviews the symbology (logos and symbols) used by the CSRL.

Key Information: “Qué es el cartel de Santa Rosa de Lima que amenaza a AMLO con ‘matar gente inocente’ en México.” La Opinión. 2 February 2019

Narcomanta threatening Marina, Sedena, and fuerzas federales signed by Puro Cartel de Santa Rosa de Lima.

Image: CSRL Narcomanta. Symbols: M in Triangle, Crossed Warhammers.

Key Information: “Cartel de Santa Rosa de lima e ‘El Marro’ decapita a miembro del CJNG.” México Código Rojo. 7 December 2018

Narcomanta threatening rivals from Jalisco (i.e., CJNG)

Image: CSRL Narcomanta. Symbols: S.R.L., Triangle Flanked by Warhammers.

Key Information:  “SALGANLE AL TOPON: Cártel Santa Rosa de Lima Le Manda Mensaje a el CJNG.” México Código Rojo. 14 February 2019,

S.R.L. logo used on various social media sites

Image: CSRL Logo on Social Media. Symbols: Guanajuato Outline, Skull, Crossed Warhammers, and S.R.L. in Triangle 

Key Information: “Guanajuato bajo fuego: Atacan atiros la sede de la FGR en Irapuato.” Hilo Directo. 6 March 2019

Yellow “payroll” envelope found during enforcement operation “Golpe de Timónconducted by Semar and state police found with symbol associated with  CSRL directing relatives to demonstrate for the cartel. [below]

Image: CSRL ink stamp on a payment envelope given to residents to protest and block military on command. Symbols: Warhammer on Triangle, Guanajuato Outline on Hammer Head.

Key Information:  Gerardo Cano, “Ejecutan a seis en Guanajuato y dejan narcomensaje a nombre de El Marro.” LNN (lanetanoticias). 23 January 2019, ejecutan-a-seis-en-guanajuato-y-dejan-narcomensaje-a-nombre-de-el-marro:

Narcomanta threatening “turncoats or traitors” signed “Sr. Marro.”

Image: CSRL Narcomanta. Symbols: M in Triangle, Puro GTO.

Key Information:  @alec_diaz_, “@l4nd3t4, @vigilantehuaste, @jbustamanteriv,

@c4jimenez, Actualizando fotos de Salamanca Guanajuato.” Twitter. 25 May 2018

Profane CSRL Narcomanta threatening members of rival CJNG cell La Verga Mera.

Image: CSRL Narcomanta. Symbols: M in a Triangle, Warhammers on the Sides, SRL.

Key Information: Dennys Roldán, “Cártel Santa Rosa de Lima: el conflicto contra el CJNG que azota a Guanajuato.” LNN, la netanoticias. 10 December 2018

CSRL Narcomanta threatening La MV and placard on alleged blindfolded member of rival CJNG cell la MV accused of theft.

Image: CSRL Narcomantas with Green Manta displayed on member of rival La MV Symbols: Crossed warhammers, M in Triangle (on Green Manta), MV in Triangle on chest of alleged MV member.

Key Information: “CARTEL DE SANTA ROSA DE LIMA DE “EL MARRO” DEJA DECAPITADO A MIEMBRO DEL CJNG EN AUTOPISTA SALAMANCA-MORELIA.” BlogDel Narco. 7 December 2018

Narcomanta accompanies decapitated rival, threatening others from Jalisco (i.e., La MV) that this cleaning [i.e., social cleansing] is the fate of those that don’t align with el patron“el Marro. Signed S.R.L [Santa Rosa de Lima].”

Image: CSRL Narcomanta. Symbols: Triangle, Warhammers.

Key Information: “Abandonan camioneta con artefacto explosivo en Celaya, Guanajuato.” Televisa News. 20 March 2019

Box containing explosives (artefactos explosivo) handmarked “Peligro” (Danger), S.R.L. “Explosivos” (Explosives) found in abandoned pickup truck in Celaya, Gto.

Image: Box containing explosives marked with S.R.L. symbols found in abandoned pick up truck. Symbols: Triangles with Hammers, S.R.L.

Analysis

The Cártel de Santa Rosa de Lima (CSRL) emerged from a 2017 split from the CJNG which is led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, aka “El Mencho.” As a result, this new cartel—the CSRL, led by José Antonio Yépez Ortiz, aka “El Marro”— now dominates the illicit fuel trade in Guanajuato. A number of symbols have become associated with the CSRL. These are summarized as follows:

Logo and Symbols

Guanajuato Outline: The outline of the state of Guanajuato symbolizing the cartel’s turf and reach.

Hammers: Warhammers, sledgehammers, or mallets symbolizing the cartel leader known as “El Marro” or “the Sledgehammer.”

M: The letter “M” in this case representing “El Marro.”

MV: La Mera Verga (La MV or La M.V.) is a CJNG cell and rival to the CSRL.

Puro GTO: Slogan meaning “pure,” “real,” or “only” Guanajuato.

Skull: The skull symbolizes death and mortality; specifically loyalty to death.

Triangle: A triangle (often red) representing the Triángulo Rojo of huachicol.

According to Chivis Martinez, a reporter at Borderland Beat, “The triangle represents ‘El Triángulo del Huachicol’ or the area of influence by Marro regarding the Pemex pipelines. Marro in Spanish is sledgehammer or mallet.”

The use of the triangle, therefore, is a reference to the ‘Triángulo Rojo’ (the red triangle) of huicichol. The term appears to have originated in Puebla, another Mexican state plagued by petroleum theft and illicit taps (tomas clandestinas). The term and associated symbology has become emblematic of huichicol (the illicit fuel trade) and thus a symbol for huichicoleros.  The huachicol region of Guanajuato is also known as the ‘Triángulo Rojo’ and contains the contested cities of Salamanca, Irapuato, and Celaya. The Triángulo Rojo of Guanajuato is also known as the ‘triángulo de las bermudas’ (Bermuda Triangle).

As seen in the various ‘key information’ entries, the symbols and logos used by the cartel often are posted on banners or placards (known as mantas or narcomantas) to communicate threats and intimidate rivals. Often, the CSRL symbols are accompanied by the symbols of the group they seek to intimidate as seen in the use of the triangle surrounding the letters “MV” in the threat communications involving their rival the CJNG cell known as “La Mera Verga.”

Source: “Triángulo Rojo,” El Sol de Bajío. 8 March 2019, PressReader - El Sol de Bajío: 2019-03-08 - TRIÁNGULO ROJO...

Guanajuato is contested turf for huachicoleros. The illicit fuel trade is lucrative and controlling turf brings profits, power, and the freedom of maneuver needed to collect street taxes (cobro de piso y derecho de piso) and exercise control of the plazas for the illcit fuel trade and other criminal enterprises such as narcomenudo (street level sales) and drug trafficking. As the CSRL continues to battle for control of turf and eradicate its rivals, it is likely to continue to brand itself as a means of projecting power and communicating threats. These symbols, therefore, are likely to remain a signature of the CSRL and an indicator of their activity and reach.

For detailed endnotes please refer to the original article at Small Wars Journal.