Las Gorras Blancas

Las Gorras Blancas

Juan Jose, Pablo, and Nicanor Herrera (L to R), leaders of Las Gorras Blancas.
Formation	1889
Dissolved	1891
Type	Vigilante group
Location	San Miguel County, New Mexico Territory
Region served	United States Southwest

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Las Gorras Blancas (Spanish for "The White Caps") was an clandestine organization active in New Mexico Territory in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Often characterized as vigilantes and in response to the Santa Fe Ring of land speculators, ranchers, and homesteaders, mostly Anglo-Americans, Las Gorras Blancas protested the takeover of former common lands of Hispanic residents by acts of vandalism such as cutting fences and burning houses and barns. The night-riding members wore white caps to disguise themselves. The reputed founders and leaders were the three Herrera brothers: Juan Jose, Pablo, and Nicanor. The organization claimed to have 1,500 members.

Las Gorras Blancas were popular among the residents, mostly Hispanic, of Las Vegas and San Miguel County. Attempts to prosecute alleged members were unsuccessful. The organization morphed into politics and won electoral victories in 1890 and 1892 with its populist programs. The success of Las Gorras Blancas resulted in the removal of most fences from ranches and increased access to the common lands by the Hispanic residents. This success was temporary as by the mid-1890s the organization had ceased to be and the ranchers, railroads, lawyers, and speculators had begun to control most of the land once again.