Spanish Cobras

The Spanish Cobras is a primarily, but not exclusively, Latino gang started by Puerto Rican teens in Humboldt Park Chicago during the late 1950s.^{[clarification needed]} The Cobras are considered the second-largest Latino Folk gang on the north and northwest side, with the Maniac Latin Disciples being the first.

Richard "King Cobra" Medina became leader of the Spanish Cobras in the early 1970s, growing them from Campbell & Potomac/Maplewood & Potomac to Division & Maplewood. Medina had his Young Cobras fight for Artesian & Potomac "A-Town", Mozart & Cortland "Sin City", and expanded into West Humboldt Park on Springfield & Hirsch and Avers & Hirsch "Westown Cobras"; then at Ridgeway & Thomas.

Absorbing the Evergreen Hustlers gang, the Cobras opened Evergreen & Washtenaw. The Spanish Cobras were introduced to the world when they viciously stabbed a Latin King during the 1977 Puerto Rican Parade. That event became the catalyst for the Humboldt Park Riots when the Latin Kings retaliated and Chicago Police shot at the fighting gangs, killing two innocent bystanders. Their deaths caused the community to attack the police and riot.

The Insane Spanish Cobras made headlines again during their violent war with the Insane Unknowns during Spring of 1979, resulting in around 10 homicides. After the murder of an Unknown founder, King Cobra was killed in a drive-by. Three days later the shooter and driver were found dead in a bullet riddled car.

According to criminologist John Haggerdon's book, Insane the Chicago Way: "What began to take shape was the daring plan of gang leaders incarcerated in Statesville—Fernando "Prince Fernie" Zayas from the Maniac Latin Disciples, Anibal "Tuffy C" Santiago from the Insane Spanish Cobras, and David Ayala from the Two Sixers—to create a local Latino Mafia".

During the Cobra expansion of the mid and late 80’s, sets opened off Fullerton Ave in Hermosa, “The Killing Fields”, and along Central Park Ave in Logan Square. During the summer of 1989, Francis & Stave YLO Cobras attacked the Simon City Royals in a series of shootouts and rumbles to take over Kosciusko Park, opening Schubert & Avers.

Spanish Cobras are members of Folks and sworn enemies of all People gangs. The Spanish Cobras and Latin Disciples were strong allies in the 1970s and 80s, but began deadly turf wars over drug territory around 93-94. By 1996, the war made the Chicago Tribune. ^[1] That same year, in retaliation for the murder of a high ranking member, West-Town Cobras shot up a Latin King wedding, resulting in casualties, which was caught on videotape then broadcast on local news stations. This incident made the police increase their efforts to go after the gang.

After a nine month undercover narcotics investigation, in January 1998 the Chicago Police Department arrested 31 Spanish Cobras in "Operation: Mongoose", including some gang leaders. This resulted in the closure of a Cobra section.

As head of the Insane Familia, the Spanish Cobras took the alliance of Insane Deuces, Insane Dragons, Orchestra Albany, and others to war against Maniacs and Almighty Folks.

Within Chicago, the neighborhoods with the strongest Insane and YLO Spanish Cobra presence are Humboldt Park, Hermosa, Logan Square, Belmont-Cragin, Albany Park and Kelvyn Park. They are also found in the suburbs of Waukegan, Bensenville and Cicero, with a small presence in the McKinley Park area on the south side.^{[citation needed]} Known to operate in other parts of Illinois, as well as Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha in Wisconsin, and Detroit and are quite large in Flint, Michigan. ^[2] Law enforcement has reported Spanish Cobras in Ohio, Connecticut and South Florida.

References[]

^ Becker, Robert; Martin, Andrew (November 15, 1996) "Gang Leader Found Guilty of Ordering Rivals' Killings", Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
^ "People v. Gonzalez, 663 NW 2d 499 - Mich: Court of Appeals 2003". Retrieved 16 August 2013.

https://m.chicagoreader.com/chicago/insane-way-john-hagedorn-latino-gangs-sgd/Content?oid=20511448

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-08-29-9608290299-story.html

Spanish Cobras

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