De Leon, Soldiers and Kings

Chino/Roberto

Introduced as footsoldier on Mexico train tracks a smuggler, became a smuggler due to abandonment and violence. Relationship with Jesmyn is his turning point, becomes a Christian, is attacked by the Breadman after refusing to keep doing certain kinds of ciolence, survives for a while and talks about starting over, then dies bc low resourced too expensive hospital.

Santos

When JDL meets him is a honduran footsoldier and subcontracted guide who waits around for calls and has to leave for jobs at moments notice, always on call never stable, was the one tattooing the Pleasure Palace crew. Segment guide specializing in particular stretch of route, subcontracted by higher smugglers. Gets deported, returns, keeps moving, reaches US, thrown back, refuses gang recruitment in Honduras, eventually construction worker in Mexicali. Getting out doesnt mean success just less lethal life.

Jesmyn

Was young Honduran migrant stranded in Pakal Na after coming up from Guatemala with Chino and Santos’ group. Backstory of gang terror, sexual predation, exile, and poverty in Honduras. Not a passive victim but actively trying to save herself. Builds relationship with Chino and is part of why he wants to make a better life.

Papo

Honduran migrant, motorcycle got tied to murder he didnt commit, so had to leave. introduced preparing tor embassy interview, trying to get papers and stop hiding and stop tie to gang, was stuck doing work for MS-13 bc wants to protect Alma and the girls. Survives and is living with Alma and kids in Mexico after Jason thought he was dead.

Alma

Introduced sitting outside a migrant shelter with her child and playing on stereotypes so people will trust her but actually keeping tabs on who has paid the quota. Migrated with daughter bc gang extortion made normal life impossible. Builds relationship w Papo and at end lives with him and trying to secure papers and schooling for the girls.

Flaco

Introduced as a King, a high level smuggler/middle manager. Iguana torturer. Relative comfort compared to footsoldiers, partying, organizing movement, hires people like Chino and Santos to do dangerous work. Makes money and burns through it, but not top of pyramid, answerable to gangs and still moving. Had already spent prison time in US, deported, kicked out from grandmother’s home after 3 days. At 30 headed toward tracks again. By late in book wants safer work bc of daughter but no final ending

Kingston

A black garifuna smuggler boss with soldiers under him, first interaction trying to figure out whether Jason is police. Backstory escapes abuse at home, by teenager leaves Honduras, reaches US, pulled into gang life in NY, rises fast bc already hardened. Imprisoned, and after release becomes effective in smuggling. Carries a machete.

Soldiers

Chino, Santos, partly Papo. Low level doing ground work on the tracks

Kings

Flaco and kingston. More money authority soldiers under them, but still controlled by quota and gangs

Women who arent just victims

Jesmyn and Alma, not just flat vicims, show agency and survival work

Pleasure palace crew

Everyone but Flaco and Kingston. Waiting around Pakal Na trying to survive

JDL broader arguments

Smugglers are multifaceted, kings often started out as soldiers, global inequality and capitalist structures bc staying home unlivable, harder morders make smugglers more necessary and powerful,

on programa frontera sur

deterraence logic in practice makes migration harder, more expensive, more violent, increase demand for guides, made gangs and cartels more powerful, raised costs and pressure on low level smugglers who had to charge more to pay more quotas.