Fuerzas Especiales del Alto Mando
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| Special Reaction Force | |
|---|---|
| Fuerza Especial de Reacción | |
 Beret Insignia | |
| Country |  Mexico |
| Allegiance | Mexico |
| Branch |  Mexican Army |
| Type | Special forces |
| Role | Counter-terrorism |
| Size | around 150 Operators |
| Engagements | Capture of Osiel Cárdenas Guillén |
The Fuerza Especial de Reacción (Special Reaction Force), previously known as GAFES del Alto Mando or Fuerza Especial del Alto Mando (High Command Special Force)[citation needed] is the Mexican Army's Tier 1 Special operations force.[1] Their Tier 1 status comes mostly from their higher level training pedigree in unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, special reconnaissance, direct action, counter narcotics, among other courses, than there "regular" Mexican Army Special Forces Corps. Along with training ventures with international special mission units such as US Delta Force, Israeli Sayeret Matkal, UK SAS, among others. However, it's known service record and the groups they have encountered have also given them the necessary experience to obtain such status. Although, public knowledge about its size and operations are classified. It is rumored to be compromised of no more than 150 operators, with most of their operators coming from the Mexican Army Special Forces Corps. They also have access to the best gear the Mexican Army can afford along with access to Mexico's top of the line armored cars and assets.
In modern days, they mostly focus on Mexico's War on Drugs, performing direct action and special reconnaissance missions against the countries cartels.
Known Operations[]
One of the few times its operators were seen in public was hours after the successful capture of Osiel Cárdenas Guillén in 2003, one of the most wanted drug cartel leaders in Mexico and the United States, as they arrived in Mexico City.
They were also responsible for hunting down almost all of the first generation of "Los Zetas”, (ex-GAFEs that deserted from the Mexican army to become security for the Gulf Cartel until they splintered to form their own organization) since they knew how they operated and how to counter them, it is mentioned that they located and then gunned down the first leader and co-founder of Los Zetas, Arturo Guzman Decena in the border city of Matamoros. with the help of the USA. These operations allowed the FER to enter into a very small list of special forces that had fought against other special forces (since the original Zetas were ex-GAFE).
Another known mission carried out by the FER was the capture of drug cartel leader Javier Torres Félix aka El JT in Culiacan, Sinaloa, January 27 of 2004. The commandos left Mexico City for Culiacan at 9:00 a.m. and returned with Félix at 6:00 p.m. that same day. Commanders had scheduled the arrest for another day but the Secretary told reporters that immediate capture was necessary. One of Félix's hitmen had killed a soldier from the Third military region while the soldier was on patrol at the outskirts of the town of El Tule. with the help of the USA.
One of their most recent operations occurred on August 2,2020, in which Jose Antonio Yepez Ortiz (El Marro), leader of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel (CSRL), was captured. Footage from the Federal AIC GEO and Guanajuato's own AIC state agents involved in the capture showcase alleged FER members in the operation.
References[]
- Special forces of Mexico