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Los Macheteros: The Wells Fargo Robbery and the Violent Struggle for Puerto Rican Independence
This book is in great shape, no marking or highlighting inside. Cover shows very little wear. Ships from CA.
- GenresHistoryTrue Crime
253 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 12, 2026
Another book I read between books. This is an account of the so-called 'terrorist' acts committed by the Puerto Rican pro-indepenence group Los Macheteros. Their calling card was the machete, which they often left behind at the scene of the crime to let everyone know they did it.
In a broader context the activities of Los Macheteros can be seen in the light of similar separatist movements in the time period. We have the Basques in Spain, the Corsicans in France, and of course the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
It's interesting to note in this regard that a book was written by Robert Ramsay, The Corsican Time Bomb, which similarly argued that it was only a matter of time before these tensions exploded into something really catastrophic.
But it didn't happen. Strangely enough, the problems just sort of went away, without achieving independence. It would be a worthwhile study to examine why these kinds of acts were so widespread in the 1970s and 1980s, and then just tapered off. My suspicion is that new innovations like video cameras make robberies and pipe bombing much more difficult.
This book extends far beyond just the Wells Fargo robbery, though it does explain that in considerable detail. But the bulk of the narrative is filled with details about Victor Gerena's life, and how it's like to grow up poor and Puerto Rican in the United States.
We feel a lot of sympathy for the figures here, and Fernandez himself seems to be on the fence as to whether their actions were justified. They were violent, and Fernandez seems to be particularly unhappy with the killing of the American sailors at Sebana Seca in 1979. Fernandez does note that the actions of Los Macheteros should be regarded as political acts rather than criminal acts, but seems to be undecided on whether or to what extent they should be punished by the law.
It is, of course, to be deplored that anybody lose their lives or that any violence be perpetrated against anyone. If Walter Scheidel is correct in his thesis, however, violence is sometimes necessary to achieve political or social change. But as a friend of mine cautioned, a necessary evil is still evil. As much as one wishes to improve the condition of Puerto Rico acts of violence should not be celebrated, even if arguably necessary.
More happily, Los Macheteros tended to carry out acts that were not lethal. Victor Gerena managed to rob Wells Fargo without having to kill anyone, while Filiberto Ojeda Rios and Juan Segarra destroyed a number of US aircraft without hurting any pilots.
As this book is a bit dated, it is worth mentioned that Juan Segarra is still alive, albeit reformed and taking a non-violent path. One is reminded of Lolita Lebron's denunciation of violence after her release from prison. Filiberto Ojeda Rios was killed in a shootout with the FBI in 2005 which was a major event for Puerto Rico. Victor Gerena has never been found and is presumed to be in Cuba.
Gerena himself is interesting because repeatedly throughout the book it is said that the case should have been open and close. The thief's identity was known and the local police thought he would be apprehended within a few days. Gerena is one of those very few criminals who pulled off the perfect heist and got away with it.
He is described as being an intelligent kid, popular with women, evidently very charismatic. It is a shame his talents could not have been better employed. Though it is gratifying to know that at least Los Macheteros used some of the money to buy Christmas presents for poor children. It raises the moral issues of the old Robin Hood dilemma.
There is a specific chapter in here dealing with attempts to inject vitality into the Puerto Rican economy through programs like tax incentives, to draw capital to the island. This chapter is very eye-opening and very useful in understanding why this sort of thing does not work.
Fernandez explains that companies make money in Puerto Rico but spend it outside of the island, and when their tax incentives run out they leave. This is why more modern iterations like the plans of Brock Pierce and Logan Paul will not materially benefit the island in any way.
I think this chapter should be essential reading for anybody seeking to understand Puerto Rican poverty and how this unhealthy dependency relationship with the United States does the island no favors. The island is dependent upon government handouts and still sinks into poverty.
Another section deals with dignidad. This is a concept of masculinity in Hispanic culture (evidently, though I'm not sure how far it applies outside of Puerto Rico). Experiencing poverty and racism naturally insults a person's dignidad and in this Fernandez suggests some motivations for the individual members of Los Macheteros.
I find this concept particularly interesting because it reminds one of the vendetta culture in rural Italy. Some time ago a friend of mine discussed the obsession with honor and respect that, for example, the Italian mafia has.
In his biography of Albizu Campos, Ribes Tovar also quotes the former about the superior dignity and respect in Spanish culture as opposed to American. In each case a psychologist or a sociologist might suggest that these men compensate for material poverty with personal esteem. They don't have money or things but they have pride.
It circles back to Ariel and Rodo, rejecting materialism for allegedly superior spirit or humanity. Whether or not this is a valid perspective is irrelevant, in my opinion. The important factor to bear in mind is that poor people can put enormous significance into their image and can deeply resent what they interpret as slights to their dignity. It is not wise to aggravate such people.
It is also entirely understandable. There is no reason to feel inferior for having less, nor is there any reason to glorify materialism.
As far as I know Los Macheteros still exists, technically. Though acts of terror have been declining. Yet, I am reminded that when I was a teenager 9/11 and the Iraq War happened, and at the time many said that this was a matter of the chickens coming home to roost. The United States with its constant interventionist wars and meddling in other countries provokes this sort of terrorist retaliation.
Fernandez informs us that the FBI considered Puerto Rican terrorists the number one threat to the United States in the time period the book was written. Fully five out of the eight most dangerous terrorist groups were Puerto Rican separatists.
It is curious that this is not often applied to Puerto Rico. American policies and American attitudes create resentment in Puerto Rico and provoke this kind of thing. And while such violent acts may or may not recur, so long as the US continues to treat Puerto Rico like a colony the Puerto Ricans will find ways to resist and to damage the US in any way that they can.
Reading these older sources, towards the end they always tend to state that the time to decide Puerto Rico's status and end this colonial relationship is now. But it still has not been resolved. This shows us how contentious this issue is and how far back it has gone. One hopes that one day it will finally be resolved.
In a broader context the activities of Los Macheteros can be seen in the light of similar separatist movements in the time period. We have the Basques in Spain, the Corsicans in France, and of course the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
It's interesting to note in this regard that a book was written by Robert Ramsay, The Corsican Time Bomb, which similarly argued that it was only a matter of time before these tensions exploded into something really catastrophic.
But it didn't happen. Strangely enough, the problems just sort of went away, without achieving independence. It would be a worthwhile study to examine why these kinds of acts were so widespread in the 1970s and 1980s, and then just tapered off. My suspicion is that new innovations like video cameras make robberies and pipe bombing much more difficult.
This book extends far beyond just the Wells Fargo robbery, though it does explain that in considerable detail. But the bulk of the narrative is filled with details about Victor Gerena's life, and how it's like to grow up poor and Puerto Rican in the United States.
We feel a lot of sympathy for the figures here, and Fernandez himself seems to be on the fence as to whether their actions were justified. They were violent, and Fernandez seems to be particularly unhappy with the killing of the American sailors at Sebana Seca in 1979. Fernandez does note that the actions of Los Macheteros should be regarded as political acts rather than criminal acts, but seems to be undecided on whether or to what extent they should be punished by the law.
It is, of course, to be deplored that anybody lose their lives or that any violence be perpetrated against anyone. If Walter Scheidel is correct in his thesis, however, violence is sometimes necessary to achieve political or social change. But as a friend of mine cautioned, a necessary evil is still evil. As much as one wishes to improve the condition of Puerto Rico acts of violence should not be celebrated, even if arguably necessary.
More happily, Los Macheteros tended to carry out acts that were not lethal. Victor Gerena managed to rob Wells Fargo without having to kill anyone, while Filiberto Ojeda Rios and Juan Segarra destroyed a number of US aircraft without hurting any pilots.
As this book is a bit dated, it is worth mentioned that Juan Segarra is still alive, albeit reformed and taking a non-violent path. One is reminded of Lolita Lebron's denunciation of violence after her release from prison. Filiberto Ojeda Rios was killed in a shootout with the FBI in 2005 which was a major event for Puerto Rico. Victor Gerena has never been found and is presumed to be in Cuba.
Gerena himself is interesting because repeatedly throughout the book it is said that the case should have been open and close. The thief's identity was known and the local police thought he would be apprehended within a few days. Gerena is one of those very few criminals who pulled off the perfect heist and got away with it.
He is described as being an intelligent kid, popular with women, evidently very charismatic. It is a shame his talents could not have been better employed. Though it is gratifying to know that at least Los Macheteros used some of the money to buy Christmas presents for poor children. It raises the moral issues of the old Robin Hood dilemma.
There is a specific chapter in here dealing with attempts to inject vitality into the Puerto Rican economy through programs like tax incentives, to draw capital to the island. This chapter is very eye-opening and very useful in understanding why this sort of thing does not work.
Fernandez explains that companies make money in Puerto Rico but spend it outside of the island, and when their tax incentives run out they leave. This is why more modern iterations like the plans of Brock Pierce and Logan Paul will not materially benefit the island in any way.
I think this chapter should be essential reading for anybody seeking to understand Puerto Rican poverty and how this unhealthy dependency relationship with the United States does the island no favors. The island is dependent upon government handouts and still sinks into poverty.
Another section deals with dignidad. This is a concept of masculinity in Hispanic culture (evidently, though I'm not sure how far it applies outside of Puerto Rico). Experiencing poverty and racism naturally insults a person's dignidad and in this Fernandez suggests some motivations for the individual members of Los Macheteros.
I find this concept particularly interesting because it reminds one of the vendetta culture in rural Italy. Some time ago a friend of mine discussed the obsession with honor and respect that, for example, the Italian mafia has.
In his biography of Albizu Campos, Ribes Tovar also quotes the former about the superior dignity and respect in Spanish culture as opposed to American. In each case a psychologist or a sociologist might suggest that these men compensate for material poverty with personal esteem. They don't have money or things but they have pride.
It circles back to Ariel and Rodo, rejecting materialism for allegedly superior spirit or humanity. Whether or not this is a valid perspective is irrelevant, in my opinion. The important factor to bear in mind is that poor people can put enormous significance into their image and can deeply resent what they interpret as slights to their dignity. It is not wise to aggravate such people.
It is also entirely understandable. There is no reason to feel inferior for having less, nor is there any reason to glorify materialism.
As far as I know Los Macheteros still exists, technically. Though acts of terror have been declining. Yet, I am reminded that when I was a teenager 9/11 and the Iraq War happened, and at the time many said that this was a matter of the chickens coming home to roost. The United States with its constant interventionist wars and meddling in other countries provokes this sort of terrorist retaliation.
Fernandez informs us that the FBI considered Puerto Rican terrorists the number one threat to the United States in the time period the book was written. Fully five out of the eight most dangerous terrorist groups were Puerto Rican separatists.
It is curious that this is not often applied to Puerto Rico. American policies and American attitudes create resentment in Puerto Rico and provoke this kind of thing. And while such violent acts may or may not recur, so long as the US continues to treat Puerto Rico like a colony the Puerto Ricans will find ways to resist and to damage the US in any way that they can.
Reading these older sources, towards the end they always tend to state that the time to decide Puerto Rico's status and end this colonial relationship is now. But it still has not been resolved. This shows us how contentious this issue is and how far back it has gone. One hopes that one day it will finally be resolved.
July 4, 2018
This is an older book, but better than some more recent ones even though (obviously) its history only goes up through the 1980s. Although not really a history of Los Macheteros (as others have noted), it uses that movement and their involvement in a famous robbery to explore the history and meanings of the relationships between the US and Puerto Rico and the struggles in PR for independence. Researching and writing this book was a journey of discovery for Nuyorican sociologist Fernandez, and can serve the same purpose for readers interested in learning more about PR. Worth hunting up a copy.
February 2, 2023
If you want to understand how badly the United States has treated Puerto Rico and its citizens, this is the book to read. If you want to understand how political fury can turn into political action, this is the book for you. If you want to know how infantilism is written into American policy by statesmen and politicians who could care less about the people of Puerto Rico, this is the book for you. And if you want to see how an organized band of independistas foiled the security of institutions like Wells Fargo and the FBI, this is the book for you.
September 5, 2018
This was not a good book (It's a work of journalism written by a sociologist and it doesn't quite work as either) but it's a great story, and it deserves a new telling, maybe even a HBO documentary or something.
January 15, 2025
The only book about Puerto Rican terrorism in existence. Desperately needs an updated edition and is sadly out of print, but it does a good job examining the Wells Fargo operation as well as the organizational structure of the EPB.
December 20, 2016
An account of the 1983 Wells Fargo robbery organized by the Puerto Rican crackerjack A-Team Los Macheteros. With a more or less in-depth profile of Victor Gerena, may he be well and healthy wherever he is.
Digressions on Puerto Rican history and contemporary (80's) politics. The book closes with a general panorama of the indictments, but no coverage of the trial. As we all know, much later Ojeda Ríos jumped parole and left his ankle monitor at the door of the Claridad newspaper office (I was working there at the time). He was a successful fugitive for 15 years. In 2005 he fought FBI agents that had surrounded his home in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico, and was ultimately shot dead.
This book IS NOT about Los Macheteros. That book has yet to be written.
Digressions on Puerto Rican history and contemporary (80's) politics. The book closes with a general panorama of the indictments, but no coverage of the trial. As we all know, much later Ojeda Ríos jumped parole and left his ankle monitor at the door of the Claridad newspaper office (I was working there at the time). He was a successful fugitive for 15 years. In 2005 he fought FBI agents that had surrounded his home in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico, and was ultimately shot dead.
This book IS NOT about Los Macheteros. That book has yet to be written.
August 3, 2015
An old book, that truly defines the adage' 'The more things change, the more they remain the same'. Written in the 1980's, the book foreshadows (accidentally) the economic crisis Puerto Rico currently is in. If you can find a copy, the book reveals a surprisingly forgotten chapter in the relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico. I was not aware of the Wells Fargo robbery or even heard of the Macheteros before reading this book. As the author tells the story of the group, he tells the story of the relationship between the United States and its colony of Puerto Rico. Reading the book now, the financial crisis of Puerto Rico was a forgone conclusion. I would recommend the book for anyone interested in the history of Puerto Rico; especially how it relates to the present.
November 14, 2007
My roommate worked at a used bookstore and I stopped in to talk to him, but I also browsed around and found this on the shelf.
It is a straightforward re-telling of a bank robbery by an armed group of Puerto Rican revolutionaries. I was happy to be informed about this subject, but the writing is only adequate and doesn't draw you in to what could be a very exciting read.
I ended up giving the book to a friend of a relative, her son was somehow involved in the robbery and is now on the F.B.I.'s most wanted list, hiding out somewhere.
It is a straightforward re-telling of a bank robbery by an armed group of Puerto Rican revolutionaries. I was happy to be informed about this subject, but the writing is only adequate and doesn't draw you in to what could be a very exciting read.
I ended up giving the book to a friend of a relative, her son was somehow involved in the robbery and is now on the F.B.I.'s most wanted list, hiding out somewhere.
February 26, 2013
Don't know if you can find it, if you know a friend that owns it borrow it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews