Nicolás Rodríguez Carrasco

Nicolás Rodríguez Carrasco (1890 – August 11, 1940) was a Mexican general, revolutionary, and the founder and leader of the fascist paramilitary organization Revolutionary Mexicanist Action, better known as the Gold Shirts.

Throughout his life, Rodríguez Carrasco took part in multiple rebellions against Mexican governments. By the 1930s, he had become an admirer of Adolf Hitler and campaigned through his paramilitary group to expel Jews, Chinese, and communists from Mexico. His Gold Shirts organization was largely supported and protected by Plutarco Elías Calles as both Calles and Rodríguez Carrasco were staunch opponents of the 1934–1940 Cárdenas government. After Calles's exile in 1935 and the subsequent loss of his protection, Rodríguez Carrasco was expelled from Mexico in August 1936.

During his second exile in Texas, Rodríguez Carrasco and the Revolutionary Mexicanist Action planned a coup against the Mexican government. Planning and preparations were largely funded by fascist organizations based in Europe as well as by Texan oil tycoons and COPARMEX following the Mexican oil expropriation. On January 31, 1938, insurgents launched an attack on the city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, but were quickly thwarted by the Mexican national guard.

Early life Rodríguez Carrasco was born in the city of Chihuahua. His father was a Carrancista during the Mexican Revolution before joining the Northern Division.

Rodríguez Carrasco had many brothers who supported his paramilitary endeavors, notably José, Joaquín, and Manuel.

Early rebellions and first exile In 1923, Rodríguez Carrasco took part in the failed coup d'etat led by Enrique Estrada known as the Delahuertista Rebellion. The preparation of the plot caught the attention of Bureau of Investigation. On August 15, when Estrada's caravans approached San Diego, federal agents thwarted the plot arresting 150 people including Rodríguez Carrasco.

1935 Revolution Day Riot

Rodriguez Carrasco in the hospital for the wounds he received during the riot.

Tensions between Calles and president Lázaro Cárdenas rose with the latter increasing the suppression efforts of the Gold Shirts. On November 20, 1935, a violent clash between communists and the Gold Shirts during the Revolution Day parade at the Zócalo resulted in 3 deaths and more than 40 injuries of which included Rodríguez Carrasco. Rodríguez Carrasco was stabbed twice in the abdomen and left critically injured. Public protests were held against the group and their union busting activities with President Cárdenas receiving an overwhelming amount of requests to have the organization banned.

Historian Alicia Gojman de Backal opined that the rebellions largely failed in part of Rodríguez Carrasco's inability to attract a large number of followers as his movement fundamentally did not appeal to the masses. As nationalization of the oil industry proved to be beneficial and popular to the majority of the population, very few, especially people of the lower and middle class, opposed it.

Personal life Rodríguez Carrasco was married to Leonor Gutiérrez who was head of the women's Revolutionary Mexicanist Action faction. The couple divorced in 1937 following an affair Rodríguez Carrasco had while in exile.

Death There are many conflicting reports on the location of death of Rodríguez Carrasco. Following his death, different news sources stated he had died in Mission or El Paso, Texas. Other sources stated he had died in his mother's house with the location reported to be in Chihuahua, Reynosa, and Ciudad Juárez. The historical consensus is Rodríguez Carrasco had in fact died in his mother's house in northern Mexico while all sources report his death occurring on August 11.