Latin Kings (gang)
Latin Kings graffiti of the King Master along with the letters "L" and "K" on the sides.
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| Founding location | Chicago, Illinois |
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| Years active | 1954–present |
| Territory | United States and other states including Michigan, Miami, Chicago and New York, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Cuba, Mexico, Spain, Peru, Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, New Jersey and California |
| Ethnicity | Mostly Hispanics |
| Membership | 100,000 around the united states |
| Criminal activities | Battery, racketeering, murder, extortion, and drug trafficking. |
| Allies | People Nation, Ñetas, Bloods, Vice Lords, Nortenos |
| Rivals | Folk Nation, Crips, Gangster Disciples, DDP, Trinitarios, Black Disciples, Surenos, MS-13 |
The Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (ALKQN, ALKN, LKN) is a large Hispanic street gang in the United States. Its roots date to 1954 in Chicago, Illinois.
The Latin King street gang was formed in Chicago in 1954. In Spain, the membership consisted of Latin American and Caribbean immigrants. In Brazil, members consist of Indigenous, Afro-Brazilian, and some White and Asian-Brazilian members along with some Caribbean immigrant membership as well.
Founded with the philosophy of "overcoming racial prejudice" and creating an organization of "Kings" and "Queens," the Latin Kings evolved into a criminal enterprise operating throughout the United States under two umbrella factions—Motherland, also known as KMC (King Manifesto and Constitution), and Bloodline (New York City). All members of the gang identify as Latin Kings. Individuals of any nationality may be accepted as members.
Motherland faction:
Latin Kings associating with the Motherland faction also identify as "Almighty Latin King Nation (ALKN)," and make up more than 160 structured chapters operating in 158 cities in 31 states. The membership of those Latin Kings in Chicago is estimated to be 20,000 to 35,000.
Bloodline faction:
The Bloodline Manifesto was founded by Luis Felipe AKA "King Blood" in 1986 in the New York State Collins correctional Facility. Latin Kings associating with New York State Bloodline Chapter also identify as the "Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (ALKQN)." Membership is estimated to be as many as 7,500, divided among several dozen Tribes operating in 15 cities in 5 states. New York State Bloodline Latin Kings share a common culture and structure with KMC and respect them as the Motherland, but not all chapters report to the Chicago leadership hierarchy.
The Latin Kings have a hierarchical organizational structure: they have numerous "chapters" or "tribes" across the country, which adhere to a regional, state, and a national system. Officers (Inca, Cacique and Enforcer) are supported by a "Crown Council" of seven members. The Council sets rules and regulations and holds disciplinary hearings.
The hierarchy rises to regional officers and ultimately to 2 supreme regional incas based in Chicago. The head (or heads) of the entire criminal organization are known as 'coronas' (crowns in English). One retired detective said in 2004: "When you compare them to other street gangs like the Bloods and the Crips, none compare to the organization of the Latin Kings."
When any member believes that another member has violated a regulation, they begin the disciplinary process by submitting a Procedures for Violation Form. This form includes a variety of information about the allegation including the violation, the version of the accused, and members present or other witnesses. If the member is found to be guilty of the violation at their Crown hearing, they may be subject to a range of penalties depending on the severity of the offense:
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Wikipedia