The Spanish Cobras is a primarily, but not exclusively, Latin American gang started by Puerto Rican teens in Humboldt Park Chicago during the late 1950’s. The Cobras are considered the second-largest Latino Folk gang on the north and northwest side, with the Maniac Latin Disciples being the first. The Spanish Cobras stayed in the shadows, until they stabbed a Latin King during the Puerto Rican Day Parade in June 1977. That event became the catalyst for the Humboldt Park Riots when Latin Kings retaliated and brawled with Cobras in the park. The police shot and killed two innocent bystanders while attempting to break up the fighting gangs. Angry at the unjust shootings, and with their rage focused on the police, rioting broke out for the next 24 hours. The Insane Spanish Cobras made headlines again during their violent war with the Insane Unknowns during Spring of 1979, resulting in multiple homicides. Spanish Cobras are members of Folks and sworn enemies of all People gangs. Spanish Cobras and Latin Disciples were strong allies in the 1970’s & 80’s but began turf wars over drug territory in the early 1990s, resulting in one of the deadliest gang rivalries in Chicago’s history. As head of the Insane Familia of nations, Cobras went to war with Maniacs and Almighty Folks. The Spanish Cobras became enemies of the predominantly white Simon City Royals when Cobras opened a new section at Schubert & Avers, pushing the Royals out of Kosciuszko Park and claiming it with the Insane O.A.’s. In 1994, Northside Spanish Cobras took Jensen Park from the Royals with fist fights and shoot outs. After a nine month undercover narcotics investigation, in 1998 the Chicago Police Department arrested 31 Spanish Cobras in “Operation: Mongoose.” Within Chicago, the neighborhoods with the strongest Insane & YLO Spanish Cobra presence are Humboldt Park, West Humboldt Park, Hermosa, Logan Square, Albany Park and Kelvyn Park. They are also found in the suburbs of Bensenville and Cicero, with a small presence in the McKinley Park area on the south side. They are also known to operate in other parts of Illinois, as well as Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha in Wisconsin, and Detroit and are quite large in Flint, Michigan. Small pockets of YLO Spanish Cobras have been reported in Central and Southern Florida.
