How Did He Go from Elite Soldier to Founder of “Los Zetas”? The Case of “El Cachetes”

Listen, let me tell you this story: the United States is seeking a 30-year prison sentence for an elite soldier who crossed over to the “dark side” and became one of the founders of the Zetas. That’s what we’re going to talk about. 

Arturo, how are you? Good evening. 

How are you, Enrique? Good evening. Greetings to everyone over there.

 The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking 30 years for “El Cachetes.”

Yes. And here, we might need to refresh our memories, because this is perhaps one of the chapters that largely defined the “DNA” of organized crime violence—at least in this century, Enrique—namely, the emergence and formation of the Zetas. They began as what was called the “armed wing” of the Gulf Cartel.

At the turn of the century—we’re talking about the period between 2000 and 2010—there were two dominant forces in Mexican organized crime: the Sinaloa Cartel and the Gulf Cartel. The leader of the Gulf Cartel at the time, Osiel Cárdenas, came up with an idea—one that seemed like a great idea to him, but proved to be a disastrous one for the country and for everything that has unfolded over the last 25 years, Enrique—which was to recruit elite soldiers to form a group specifically tasked with killing, pursuing, and torturing their rivals. …to intimidate them; and to do so, he co-opted these soldiers—members of a unit known as the *Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales*, or “GAFEs,” within the Mexican Army. This was an elite unit that, at the time—and it must be noted, due to political decisions—was deployed to Tamaulipas, ostensibly to counter the firepower of the Gulf Cartel.

You know, this idea of ​​using the military to combat crime is nothing new. We’ve been at it for over 30 years—well, you tell me whether it’s yielded any results, right? As it turned out, these special forces units were present but unable to perform standard police duties or similar tasks. It was then—[exhales]—that Cárdenas likely saw an opportunity, thinking: “These elite soldiers are already armed and trained in tactics; I can surely offer them more money.”

That is how the group known as “Los Zetas” emerged. Daniel Pérez Rojas—known as “El Cachetes”—was one of these elite soldiers; he served in the army’s special forces between 1997 and 2001. Like most of the *GAFE* (Special Forces Airmobile Group) members who formed Los Zetas, he deserted. For many years, he became a trusted military aide to Heriberto Lazcano—”Z-3″—who, at the time, was one of the most significant criminals and a high-priority target in the fight against organized crime. According to the U.S. indictment, Pérez Rojas—alias “El Cachetes”—was almost always dressed in military-style gear, equipped with tactical vests, helmets, and high-powered weaponry.

Looking at the photos available of him, he actually looks more like Juan Garrison than an elite soldier, doesn’t he? Exactly—though, to be fair, while he was living a life of crime, he likely maintained the same level of physical discipline. The U.S. indictment also notes that, at one point, he even led Los Zetas at Lazcano’s request whenever Lazcano chose to step away.

In any case, Daniel Pérez—”El Cachetes”—was arrested in 2009 after traveling to Guatemala with a group of bodyguards to negotiate with the Guatemalan government. The U.S. indictment states that Los Zetas had infiltrated and poured millions of dollars into political campaigns in Guatemala—which, I suppose, doesn’t come as much of a surprise, does it?

Anyway, back in 2009, he ran into trouble with a local organized crime leader. That ringleader was killed in Guatemala, but the incident triggered a manhunt for this man, which led to his arrest in Guatemala and his subsequent transfer to Mexico. He then spent a very long time—over 15 years—imprisoned in Mexico. And, according to the United States, he actually continued to commit crimes from within that Mexican prison—until, last year, he was among the criminal leaders whom Mexico expelled to the United States.

Yes, well, Daniel Pérez Rojas decided—to plead guilty, right? He didn’t want to go to trial. He said, “I accept. Everything that has been alleged is true. It is true that I led, alongside the Zetas. It is true that bribes were paid in Guatemala. It is true—well, regarding the crimes he is charged with—that his hearing will take place on November 19th.”

And a detail we have confirmed—which you mentioned at the beginning, Enrique—is that, given the gravity of the acts of violence he has admitted to, prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of more than 30 years. He is likely hoping that the 15 years he already spent in prison in Mexico will be credited toward his sentence, meaning he would serve another 15 years.

We shall see what the judge decides. It is interesting how some of these former GAFE members—who were part of the Zetas—are still facing justice, even decades later, though now here in the United States. Incidentally, Enrique, this is the same legal process involving two other individuals we’ve discussed quite a bit: the brothers Miguel Ángel and Omar Treviño Morales—known as “Z-40” and “Z-42″—who were never actually military personnel.

They belonged to that other faction of the Zetas that joined later; despite not having a military background, they rose to significant positions and were also extremely bloodthirsty. As we’ve noted, Z-40 and his brother have refused to back down, spending millions on their legal defense. That trial is set to resume in 2025.

Exactly—the case involving the Treviño Morales brothers. It’s clear they have no intention of negotiating. It has always been striking how the Treviño Morales brothers—ever since they were in Mexico, Enrique—have invested vast sums of money into their legal defenses. And that’s where those infamous lawyers came from—the ones that turned into a whole scandal later on; do you remember?

Right—the ones who were allegedly lawyers for the Zetas. And then there’s Miguel Ángel Treviño, who has always maintained that he isn’t the *real* Miguel Ángel Treviño and that he was mistaken for someone else. Well, those are highly controversial arguments. That particular case is set for 2028, but in the meantime, another one of the defendants—Daniel Ped Rojas, who was actually in the military—has his sentencing hearing coming up on November 19th.

We’ll see how it unfolds, but it’s certainly going to draw some attention, isn’t it? Just think—decades later, one of these *Gafes*—the elite operatives who were part of the Zetas—is finally being sentenced. Anyway, we’ll be keeping a close eye on it. Arturo, sending you greetings and a big hug all the way to New York. Best to everyone in Mexico. Good night.

Source: W Radio Mexico