Federales

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (April 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Federales is a slang Spanish term for the Mexican federal police, specifically the Federal Agency of Investigation (formerly the Federal Judicial Police) but now extended to the Federal Preventive Police (formerly the Policía Federal de Caminos (Federal Highway patrol)). The term gained widespread usage by English-speakers as a result of being popularized in such films as The Wild Bunch and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

Historically Federales was also the common term used for the Mexican regular or Federal Army, especially during the 34 year rule of Porfirio Diaz; (1876 to 1911 with one brief break). Following Diaz's overthrow by rebel forces led by Francisco Madero, the Federal Army remained in existence. It was eventually disbanded in July/August 1914 when Madero's successor Victoriano Huerta was in turn defeated by an alliance of forces led by Venustiano Carranza, Francisco "Pancho" Villa, and Emiliano Zapata.

[edit] Accusations of Corruption

Tourists and locals have, over the years, accused "Federales" and local police of illegal and inhumane confinement, confiscating personal effects illegally,stealing money and fabricating infractions of the law in order to solicit bribes.

[edit] See also

• Rurales
• Musket - Primary weapon of the Federales