Pro-Government Militias
White Guards (Guardias Blancas) (Mexico)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: | no |
| PGM ID Number: | 382 |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Date formed: | June 1, 1990 |
| Accuracy of date formed: | year |
| Details of Formation: | The Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium dates the group back to 1961, but there is only limited evidence for this. A Human Rights watch report tells of abuses as early as 1990 by gunmen accompanied by landowners and local authorities. Zapatist rebels (EZLN) staged an uprising in the southern state of Chiapas in 1994 demanding rights for indigenous peoples. In response local landowners armed paramilitary groups which reportedly received support and training from security forces in Chiapas. According to the Human Rights Watch the groups mapaches (armed gangs recruited by landowners as far back as 1914) were direct ancestors of the White Guards. |
| Date dissolved: | Nov. 30, 2000 |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: | year |
| Details of Termination: | The White Guards were linked to protecting the PRI’s rule. The PRI lost the 2000 elections and the new government decided to go after paramilitary groups associated with the PRI. There is no evidence for the White Guards after 2000. |
| Termination Type(s): | change in government |
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): | none |
| Successor group(s): | none |
| Private Military Company? | no |
| Former Group? | yes |
| Former Armed Group? | yes |
| Former Rebel Group? | no |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: | none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? | no |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: | none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: | informal (type 1) |
| Created by the Government?: | no | Main Creating Government Institution: | none |
| Government Link(s): | state (institution); sub-national government |
| If link to party, name of party: | None |
| Training and Equipment: | yes |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: | yes |
| Shared Personnel: | yes |
| Type(s) of Material Support: | landowner |
| State Sponsor(s): | none |
| Other Connection(s): |
Group Characteristics
| Membership: | security forces; ex soldiers |
| Primary Membership: | noncivilian |
| Alternative Primary Membership: | no information |
| Location: | Chiapas |
| Force Strength: | [unknown, 400] |
| Target(s): | civilians; rebels, insurgents, or other armed group; ethnic group; peasants |
| Purpose(s): | protect property and investment |
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): | Indigenous peoples (Mexico) |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: | given |
| Ethnic Membership: | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: | not applicable |
| Ethnic Purpose: | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: | not applicable |
Other Information
| Other Information: |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: | The White Guards’ purpose was to protect private property and maintain public order. They also protected the PRI party. The government tolerated the group because it served their purpose. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use | knowledge |
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: | White Guards killed many Indian and peasant leaders. In December 1997, they killed 45 unarmed indigenous peasants in Acteal. In January 1999, they kidnapped, tortured and killed four members of an indigenous family. Authorities acquiesced the violent actions and failed to prosecute perpetrators. |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: | kidnapping/abductions; killing; torture |
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? | no information |
| PGM Members Paid? | unclear |
| Reasons for Membership: | Members of the White Guards were paid, as they were described as “hired gunmen”. They received their payment from landowners and caciques (local chiefs and rulers). |
| PGM Members Killed? | no information |
PGM Size
| Size: | A news source from 1995 mentions 400 White Guards members. |
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: | White Guards were trained by Chiapas law enforcements officials. There were rumors of training provided by army and police. The White Guards were armed with Uzi submachine-guns and AK-47 assault rifles. |
Organisation
| Organisation: | As of 1995, the group was led by a retired sublieutenant. The White Guards enjoy impunity and were described as complicit with Chiapas authorities. They are organized by landowners. |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Evidence
- Examine the evidence for this coding.