Puro Tango Blast
Encyclopedia
Tango Blast is a collection of mostly Hispanic gang members who operate on the streets and within many correctional facilities in Texas.
, like Mexikanemi
and the Texas Syndicate
. Each regional group is individually called a Tango. The term Tango Blast, in actuality, does not refer to a separate group; rather, it refers to the idea that a particular Tango member is more criminally active than others. Some Tango members say that Tango is an acronym for "Together Against Negative Gang Organizations"; however, Tango originally meant something like 'hometown clique.'
, Tango Blast is different than traditional prison gangs such as Mexikanemi
and the Texas Syndicate
, lacking the typically strict hierarchy of those organizations. While those more structured organizations, known as Security Threat Groups, will have a variety of structures, Tango members in a particular area of a correctional facility will elect a silla (Spanish for "chair"), to speak for that area of the facility. There is no consistent pathway for initiation into a Tango; rather, each individual set of Tango members determines who it admits and by what methods. One initiation method is called a "Cora Check" or a test of heart in which the potential member must engage in physical combat with 2 or more members, provided that he does not surrender during the melee he is inducted to the gang. Members are not required to perform gang activity when released from prison, making Tangos more popular among younger people.
, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. are known as the 4 Horsemen. Individual Tango members use regionally appropriate symbols as tattoos to identify the tango to which they belong; Houstone members often use the Houston Astros
star, D-Town members may use the Dallas Cowboys
star, Forito members often use the 817 area code, a star with 817 in the center similar to a pentagram., and Capirucha members may use the Texas Capitol building.. Generally, Tango members identify themselves by sport team logos or area codes from their home town or region. These four tangos represent the earliest tangos to form. Other areas of Texas have their own tangos, notably West Texas (Puro West or Wesos, often displaying 806
or 432
, 23-20, the word West, or a WT in tattoos), the Valley (Vallucos), San Antonio (Orejones), Corpus Christi
(Corpitos), , and El Paso
(Chucos).
, dedicated an episode to a description of Puro Tango Blast in episode 12 of season 5.
History
Puro Tango Blast, or Tango Blast, is a term used to collectively describe various regionally-based groups of generally Hispanic men from major Texas cities such as Houston, San Antonio, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Rio Grande Valley, and West Texas- although anyone can join - have banded together for protection from established security threat groupsPrison gang
Prison gang is a term used to denote any type of gang activity in prisons and correctional facilities. Prison officials and others in law enforcement use the term security threat group or STG...
, like Mexikanemi
Mexikanemi
Mexikanemi is known as the Texas Mexican Mafia in the Texan penal systems. As it functions separately from the original California Mexican Mafia , Mexikanemi was formed as an offshoot from the Mexican Mafia in Texas by Heriberto "Herbie" Huerta in 1984.- References :* Mexikanemi Summary*...
and the Texas Syndicate
Texas Syndicate
The Texas Syndicate is a mostly Texas-based prison gang that includes Hispanic and at one time, White members...
. Each regional group is individually called a Tango. The term Tango Blast, in actuality, does not refer to a separate group; rather, it refers to the idea that a particular Tango member is more criminally active than others. Some Tango members say that Tango is an acronym for "Together Against Negative Gang Organizations"; however, Tango originally meant something like 'hometown clique.'
Structure
Although often referred to as a prison gangPrison gang
Prison gang is a term used to denote any type of gang activity in prisons and correctional facilities. Prison officials and others in law enforcement use the term security threat group or STG...
, Tango Blast is different than traditional prison gangs such as Mexikanemi
Mexikanemi
Mexikanemi is known as the Texas Mexican Mafia in the Texan penal systems. As it functions separately from the original California Mexican Mafia , Mexikanemi was formed as an offshoot from the Mexican Mafia in Texas by Heriberto "Herbie" Huerta in 1984.- References :* Mexikanemi Summary*...
and the Texas Syndicate
Texas Syndicate
The Texas Syndicate is a mostly Texas-based prison gang that includes Hispanic and at one time, White members...
, lacking the typically strict hierarchy of those organizations. While those more structured organizations, known as Security Threat Groups, will have a variety of structures, Tango members in a particular area of a correctional facility will elect a silla (Spanish for "chair"), to speak for that area of the facility. There is no consistent pathway for initiation into a Tango; rather, each individual set of Tango members determines who it admits and by what methods. One initiation method is called a "Cora Check" or a test of heart in which the potential member must engage in physical combat with 2 or more members, provided that he does not surrender during the melee he is inducted to the gang. Members are not required to perform gang activity when released from prison, making Tangos more popular among younger people.
Individual Tangos
While it is commonly believed that there are only four chapters to the gang, other regions of the state have their own tangos. Collectively, the tangos from AustinAustin
Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas.Austin may also refer to:-In the United States:*Austin, Arkansas*Austin, Colorado*Austin, Chicago, Illinois*Austin, Indiana*Austin, Minnesota*Austin, Nevada*Austin, Oregon...
, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. are known as the 4 Horsemen. Individual Tango members use regionally appropriate symbols as tattoos to identify the tango to which they belong; Houstone members often use the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
star, D-Town members may use the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
star, Forito members often use the 817 area code, a star with 817 in the center similar to a pentagram., and Capirucha members may use the Texas Capitol building.. Generally, Tango members identify themselves by sport team logos or area codes from their home town or region. These four tangos represent the earliest tangos to form. Other areas of Texas have their own tangos, notably West Texas (Puro West or Wesos, often displaying 806
Area code 806
Image:Areacode806.svg|right|Map of Texas in blue and area code 806 in red#poly 121 10 199 10 199 69 179 69 173 80 187 88 183 106 162 103 170 116 156 116 141 123 126 110 117 116 Area code 806...
or 432
Area code 432
Image:Areacode432.svg|right|Map of Texas in blue and area code 432 in redpoly 121 10 199 10 199 69 179 69 173 80 187 88 183 106 162 103 170 116 156 116 141 123 126 110 117 116 Area code 806...
, 23-20, the word West, or a WT in tattoos), the Valley (Vallucos), San Antonio (Orejones), Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi is a coastal city in the South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas. The county seat of Nueces County, it also extends into Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio counties. The MSA population in 2008 was 416,376. The population was 305,215 at the 2010 census making it the...
(Corpitos), , and El Paso
El Paso
El Paso, a city in the U.S. state of Texas, on the border with Mexico.El Paso may also refer to:-Geography:Colombia:* El Paso, CesarSpain:*El Paso, Santa Cruz de TenerifeUnited States:...
(Chucos).
Media
History, in their series GanglandGangland (TV series)
Gangland is a documentary television series that airs on The History Channel. It usually airs on Thursday evenings although it has been known to arbitrarily change days every so often. Gangland explores the history of some of America's more notorious gangs. It premiered on November 1, 2007 with a...
, dedicated an episode to a description of Puro Tango Blast in episode 12 of season 5.