A Profile of Mexico’s “El Comandante Diablo” and How His Use of Atrocity-Based Propaganda Backfired

El Comandante Diablo (Source Lajornadajalisco)

David Rosales Guzmán, alias “El Comandante Diablo” 

David Rosales Guzmán, alias “El Comandante Diablo” (the Devil Commander), was captured alive by Mexican authorities on September 1, 2012. He is accused of functioning as the Gulf Cartel’s leader in Monterrey, Mexico, and is held in connection with the deaths of at least 19 victims (www.blogdelnarco.com, October 1). Two were hanged from a bridge outside of Monterrey, and four others were kidnapped from unknown locations. Additional attacks occurred at bars including the Makiavelo (August 8, three dead), Matehuala Men’s Club (August 14, nine dead), Azul Tequila, Jarros 2, and Eternidad (August 20, one dead) (info7.mx/a/noticia/348422, October 1). Those locations were probably targeted for suspected ties to illegal profit-generating activities controlled by Los Zetas, an enemy organization. The attacks outraged the local population, which had already become weary of Comandante Diablo’s gratuitous violence. This was because he had advertised it only too effectively through a psychological warfare campaign utilizing public violence and atrocity-based propaganda videos disseminated through social media. The negative public reaction served to prioritize him as a target for Mexican authorities. A closer examination of his approach to psychological warfare against Los Zetas will help to clarify the significance of his capture.