The leader of a California city is under fire for uploading a social media video calling on ruthless street gangs to take on federal immigration agents.
Cynthia Gonzalez, who serves as vice mayor of Cudahy, a city located in southeast Los Angeles County, uploaded a video on social media where she complained about 18th Street and Florencia 13 gang members not doing anything to stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting enforcement operations, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“I wanna know where all the cholos are at in Los Angeles — 18th Street, Florencia. Where’s the leadership at?” Gonzalez says in the video. A “cholo” is a slang term, typically referring to a young hispanic male involved in gang activity.
“Now that your hood is being invaded by the biggest gang there is, there ain’t a peep out of you,” the vice mayor continued. “Don’t be trying to claim no block, no nothing if you’re not showing up right now trying to help out and organize.”
WATCH:
The comments made by the Vice Mayor of Cudahy, CA, Cynthia Gonzalez, are despicable. She calls for criminal gangs – including the vicious 18th street gang—to commit violence against our brave ICE law enforcement.
This kind of garbage has led to a more than 500 percent increase… pic.twitter.com/c7yX0xB5o7
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 25, 2025
Gonzalez won election to her current term on the Cudahy City Council in November 2022, according to Los Angeles County election results. Her term is due to expire in December 2026.
“The City of Cudahy is aware of recent comments made by Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez on social media,” a spokesperson for the city said to the Daily Caller News Foundation. “The comments made by the Vice Mayor reflect her personal views and do not represent the views or official position of the City of Cudahy.”
“The City will not be providing further comment,” the statement concluded, which did not include any condemnation of her comments. Gonzalez did not respond to a DCNF request for comment.
Florencia 13 and 18th Street are Los Angeles-based street gangs comprised of tens of thousands of members, largely of Central American and Mexican heritage. Both gangs have been tied to murders, drug trafficking, extortion, and a slate of other heinous crimes — particularly in the Los Angeles area.
“The comments made by the Vice Mayor of Cudahy, CA, Cynthia Gonzalez, are despicable,” DHS said in a public statement. “She calls for criminal gangs – including the vicious 18th street gang—to commit violence against our brave ICE law enforcement.”
“This kind of garbage has led to a more than 500 percent increase in assaults against our ICE law enforcement officers,” the DHS statement continued. “Secretary Noem has been clear: If you assault a federal officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.
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