The Las Vatos Cartel

== The Las Vatos Cartel ==
The Las Vatos Cartel (also known as the Chavez Cartel or the Cartel) is a major antagonistic faction in the "Raider: Last Blood" series.
The Las Vatos Cartel is a powerful drug cartel that primarily operates in and controls the gulf side of Mexico such as Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Vera Cruz, Tabasco, Campeche and the Yucatan in Mexico and they are led by the Chavez family and smuggle goods for terrorist groups that would benefit them, including the Taliban.
== History ==
Before the cartel was established, Nuevo Leon was plagued by the La Serpiente Cartel, which was led by the son of La Serpiente. At some point, the Mexican Special Forces launched a raid against the son of La Serpiente to arrest him. The Special Forces RED team was tasked to cordon off the city to prevent any bloodshed against the civilian population during the raid. However, several members of the RED team, including Santiago Chavez, were secretly enforcers for the La Serpiente Cartel. Turning against their own, the RED team escorted the son of La Serpiente to the mountains and executed him and his family.
Having created a power vacuum, Santiago established the Las Vatos Cartel, becoming its leader under the nickname La Muerte Sin Nombre. The cartel built infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and roads to gain public support. The cartel continued to bribe officers from the Mexican Army and police forces for protection, recruiting ex-soldiers as enforcers. They also recruited the remnants of Los Zetas, making them far more dangerous.
At some point, the cartel began smuggling goods around the world for terrorist groups like the Taliban, knowing that as long as terrorism remains a global threat, the United States would be too distracted to take a hardline approach toward the War on Drugs. As part of their deal with the Taliban, Las Vatos smuggled two ballistic missiles to the United States and helped Arman Hakimi cross the border between Mexico and Texas right before Diego and Luis Santos of the Los Toros could intercept him.
== Background ==
Given their history as former Mexican Special Forces operators, every cartel soldier is highly skilled and experienced in combat, giving an unfair advantage against rival cartels due to their training and equipment.
Led by Santiago (later Leon, Eduardo, Leonel, and Valeria), the Cartel is heavily focused on increasing its reputation in the public while openly building up its criminal empire through sheer brutality and expansion. They also managed to absorb the remnants of Los Zetas, making the Cartel a far more formidable threat.
There are 5 ranks of the Cartel:
* Standard/Enforcer: The 1st rank. They're considered "bottom tier" by their superiors, but make up for it by sheer numbers. They're distinguished by their cholo-like clothing and a uniform consisting of a tank top, blue jeans or chinos, black or white running shoes, and black shades.
* Hitmen: The 2nd rank. They're considered the most violent since they're willing to carry out assassinations, thefts, kidnappings, extortions, and executing protection rackets. While they wore street clothing, some of them were seen wearing fitted designer suits to blend in.
* Falcons: The 3rd rank. They're considered the ears and eyes of the gang and are mainly responsible for reporting and supervising the activities of the rivals, police, military, and other threats. They're seen wearing sports clothing and street clothing.
* Elite: The 4th rank. They're the Cartel's special ops unit and are considered to be more dangerous due to their military experience. They're distinguished by their makeshift combat uniform and helmets.
* Heavy Trooper: The 5th rank. They're distinguished by their bulky armored suits and unlike most heavy troopers, their armored suit is weaker, making them easier to take down.
== Members ==
* 
* Santiago Chavez/La Muerte Sin Nombre - Founder (Imprisoned)
*Leon Chavez/Los Toro Blanco - Co-Founder/Leader (Imprisoned)
*Gustavo Chavez - Second-in-Command/Leon's Cousin/Eduardo and Leonel's Nephew (Deceased)
*Eduardo Chavez - Lieutenant/De-Facto Leader/Leon's Half-Brother (Deceased)
*Leonel Chavez/El Gato Blanco - Lieutenant/De-Facto Leader/Leon and Eduardo's Brother (Deceased)
*Rafe - Enforcer (Deceased)
*Valeria Diaz - Field Commander/Enforcer/Leader (Imprisoned)
*Numerous (about 3,000) Cartel Members - Soldier (Deceased)
*Evan Rogers - Hitman (Formerly)
== Vehicles, Weaponry, and Equipment ==
Vehicles
* UH-60 Black Hawk
* MII MI-17
* CH-53 Yas-Ur 2000
* MD 530F
* Bell 212/412
* Dodge Ram
* HMMWV
* Plasan Sand Cat
* Cadillac Escalade
* Chevrolet Silverado
* Ford F-150
Weapons
Assault Rifles/Sniper Rifles/Machine Guns
* H&K G3/MP5
* FN P90/SCAR-L/SCAR-H
* Colt M4A1
* Remington 700/M24 SWS
* H&K PS61
* Barrett M82A1
* AK-47/Norinco Type 56
* M249 SAW
Shotguns
* Remington 1100
* Remington 870
* Mossberg 500/590
* AA-12
* USAS-12
* SAIGA 12K
Pistols
* Colt M1911
* Desert Eagle
* Beretta 92FS
* Glock 17
* SIG SAUER P320
Heavy Weapons/Grenades
* M67 Grenade
* RPG-7
* Milkor MGL
* Browning M2
* M30 Mortar
== Trivia ==
* Given their history as former operators of Mexican Spec Ops and building up their organization, The Las Vatos Cartel is partly based on Los Zetas, with sympathetic moments and minus the extreme brutality.
* The Las Vatos Cartel is the only faction that showed up in three timelines (Hell's Scars, Raider: Last Blood, and the Ghost).