Investigation Launched After LA County Vice Mayor Urges Gangs to Defend Territory

The FBI has initiated an inquiry into the vice mayor of a city in Los Angeles County following her social media call for Latino street gangs to defend their neighborhoods against federal immigration enforcement.

Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez of Cudahy posted a now-deleted video encouraging members of the 18th Street and Florencia 13 gangs to “protect” their “turf.” The video appeared to challenge these gangs, predominantly composed of Mexican and Mexican-American individuals, to stand up to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which Gonzalez characterized as “the biggest gang there is.”

Following her remarks, Gonzalez claimed on social media that federal agents visited her residence, and she indicated she needed legal counsel as part of an active investigation, according to reports. A spokesperson for the FBI’s Los Angeles office declined to confirm or deny the probe but emphasized the Bureau’s opposition to gang violence.

In her original video, Gonzalez stated, “It’s everyone else who’s not about the gang life that’s out there protesting and speaking up. We’re out there… protecting our turf and protecting our people. And, like, where you at?”

The Justice Department describes both gangs as involved in serious criminal activities, including drug trafficking and robbery. Florencia 13, a regional branch of the Mexican Mafia prison gang, has about 3,000 members, while the 18th Street Gang reportedly has between 30,000 and 50,000 members nationwide, most of whom are undocumented immigrants from Mexico and Central America living in California.

Gonzalez, who has resided in Cudahy for over a decade and has a background in education policy with two master’s degrees from UCLA, grew up locally. Her office did not immediately comment on the investigation.