Halcones (paramilitary group)
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| Halcones | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Manuel Díaz Escobar |
| Dates of operation | 1966–1970 |
| Ideology | Anti-communism Anti-socialism Conservatism |
| Political position | Far-right |
| Notable attacks | El Halconazo |
| Status | Dissolved |
The Halcones (Spanish: Falcons) were a Mexican paramilitary group created during the tail end of the 1960s and led by Colonel Manuel Díaz Escobar, the deputy director of the General Services of the Federal District Department. The group was responsible for the El Halconazo massacre on 10 June 1971, in which nearly 120 people were killed during a student demonstration in Mexico City.[1]
The Halcones was organized in September 1968 by the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI), the then dominant Mexican political party.[2][3] It was considered a semi-official group, directly operating under government authority.[3] It was composed of youths, who formed combat squads trained for the violent suppression of student protesters.[2] They were trained in martial arts at the government's Escuela de Policia (Police Academy).[4] Around 1,500 cadets received this training and received stipends.
The inception of Halcones was part of the overall aim of PRI to counter and repress socialism and communism.[2]
