Jesus Arriaga facts for kids

Jesús Arriaga (1858–1885) was a famous Mexican bandit. People knew him better as Chucho el Roto. He lived in the late 1800s. His life story has been told in many books, plays, and movies. Chucho is a common nickname for Jesús in Spanish. Roto means "broken" or "ragged." But for Chucho, it meant he dressed very well.

Arriaga was born in Tlaxcala in 1858. He became a bandit after he had to leave his family. He became famous in the late 1870s and early 1880s. Chucho was known for being able to move between different social groups. He used this skill to steal from rich people. His legend also says he loved fancy clothes and the theater. Even though he was from a poor family, he shared some of what he stole with the poor. This made people compare him to Robin Hood. Chucho was arrested for the last time in 1884. He died in the San Juan de Ulúa prison in Veracruz in 1885.

Chucho’s fame started with newspaper stories about him. The first fictional story about him came out before he died. His modern image became popular during the time of Porfirio Díaz and the Mexican Revolution. His story is still told in films, TV shows, and books today.

Early Life and Challenges

Jesús Arriaga was born in Santa Ana Chiautempan, Tlaxcala, in 1858. He was a good student. But his father died, and he had to leave school. He needed to work to help his mother and sister.

Later, he lived in Mexico City. He worked as a carpenter for a rich family. There, he met a young woman named Matilde and fell in love. She was an orphan living with her aunt and uncle. They had a child together. Because he was poor, they could not marry. The family left to hide the pregnancy. They said they were going on vacation to Europe. Two years later, they came back with a little girl named Dolores. They said they adopted her in France.

Chucho took the girl and brought her to his sister’s house. But the police came after him. He had to leave his family to escape.

Chucho's Bandit Career

We don't know exactly when Chucho started his bandit life. But from the 1870s until his death in 1885, he became a well-known bandit in cities. His adventures with the law caused strong reactions. Both poor and rich people had opinions about him.

Chucho was different from most other bandits. He could easily fit into different social groups. He was a carpenter from a middle-class background. But he found ways to join upper-class social circles. He often used these connections to plan his crimes. He also moved around a lot. He was active along the railroad lines. These lines connected cities like Veracruz, Puebla, Mexico City, and Querétaro. These cities were symbols of modern life and law and order at that time.

How Chucho Became Famous

Much of Chucho’s fame came from newspaper stories. These stories were written in the late 1870s and early 1880s. They often made his skills and bravery sound even greater. They also included times when he shared what he stole with the poor. This made people compare him to Robin Hood. However, the government saw Chucho as a danger to peace.

His nickname, "Chucho el Roto," also comes from his legend. "Chucho" is a common nickname for "Jesús." "El Roto" refers to his habit of dressing in fine clothes. "Roto" could mean a well-dressed person, especially someone from a lower class wearing fancy clothing. Later stories about him had different ideas about this. Some said he was insulting the poor people he came from. Others said it showed his basic honor. Some believed he dressed well to avoid the bad treatment poor people often faced.

Chucho did not always wear fancy clothes. Once, when he was arrested, he wore working-class clothes. But he had "elegant suits and fine gloves" with him. These were reported to be his disguises. His ability to "disguise" himself was not just about clothes. Newspapers said he acted like an educated person. They also said Chucho did not use violence in his crimes. He even "promised not to kill."

Chucho's Companions and Escapes

It is not certain if Chucho had helpers. He never admitted to having them. He told authorities that no one with him knew he was a "famous bandit." But newspapers did mention helpers. For example, Francisco Varela and several women were arrested with him in Querétaro.

Chucho was arrested many times during his career. The first time was near Texcoco, Mexico State. He was taken to Belen Prison in Mexico City. By 1873, he had escaped from this prison three times.

By 1881, Chucho el Roto was a well-known and popular bandit. On August 17, Joaquín Mendizábal, a police chief, arrested him in Orizaba. Chucho was working there as a carpenter under a different name. He was thought to be planning a robbery. Reports mentioned helpers, weapons, and other items. These might have linked him to unsolved crimes.

Later reports said Chucho feared for his life from rural police. They were known for something called the "ley fuga." This meant they would free a prisoner, then shoot them for "escaping." Chucho supposedly paid for a private guard to go with him. This guard was to protect him as he was moved back to Belen Prison in Mexico City. At that time, Chucho claimed he had done sixty non-violent robberies.

His fame brought him admirers from different parts of society. Signs demanding Chucho’s release appeared in Orizaba. Chucho’s explanations of his actions to authorities impressed some people. He used parts of the law to defend himself. A Mexico City governor, Ramón Fernández, was one of those impressed. After being moved to Belen Prison in 1881, Chucho escaped again. He then went to Querétaro.

Final Arrest and Mysterious Death

In May 1884, Chucho was pretending to be a coffee seller in Querétaro. His arrest report said he had rented two houses there. He was living under the name José Vega with his partner of six years, María Bermeo. He also helped support a daughter named Delfina in Mexico City.

Chucho had supposedly lived in Querétaro for some time. But few people knew much about him. After his arrest, neighbors said he went to the theater. He met people at the train station. He walked in public with "unheard of boldness." This was one reason he became suspicious. He had also become friends with a jewelry shop owner. But he had no proof of his identity as "José Vega" or his business.

Chucho was arrested by police chief Rómulo Alonso. This happened after he came home from a play at the Iturbide Theater. His partner María Bermeo and a suspected helper were arrested at the same time. Four other women were arrested later as helpers. All were accused of robbing a local store. Police found cash, goods, and tools like master keys, drills, and rope in one of Chucho’s homes. More investigation showed his real identity.

Soon after his arrest, Chucho was sent back to Belen Prison in Mexico City. But his partner and his belongings stayed in Querétaro. It was rumored that she was badly treated to make her confess. This was never proven.

Because Chucho had escaped from Belen before, it was decided to move him. He was sent to the San Juan de Ulúa fortress/prison in Veracruz. In 1885, Chucho el Roto died in this prison. But the reason for his death is not clear. One story says he died fighting with other prisoners. Another says he was badly hurt in the leg trying to escape. This story also says he was badly treated after the escape. It goes on to say that Chucho’s sister visited him in prison. After he asked for her forgiveness, he died.

San Juan de Ulúa Prison was known for being very bad. Prisoners often died there from diseases due to dirty conditions. The El Monitor Republicano newspaper reported Chucho’s death in 1885. It asked for an investigation to see if he was beaten to death. The same paper later said dysentery was the cause of death.

His body was taken to the docks in Veracruz. But no one knows where he was buried. One story says he was buried in Mexico City. This old cemetery is now a park.

Chucho's Lasting Legacy

Chucho el Roto’s fame began with newspaper stories about him. Many of these stories showed Chucho as different from common people. They said he loved theater and books. Some even said he could have become a priest or a politician. Others focused on his good character, especially that his crimes were not violent.

The first play based on him came out three months before he died. It was called Diego Corrientes or "The Generous Bandit." Other bandit figures came after him, like Heraclio Bernal and Santonón. These early works about Chucho did not all tell the same story. An early play from 1889 showed Chucho finally leaving his criminal life. This play, called Chucho el Roto, o La nobleza de un bandido (Chucho el Roto or The nobility of a bandit), showed his crimes as harsh.

Chucho’s modern image grew during the time of President Porfirio Díaz and the Mexican Revolution. Later stories focused on social unfairness. They used Chucho as an antihero. He was basically honorable, while rich people caused or allowed injustices. Some stories after the Mexican Revolution showed Chucho as a fighter against the poor working class.

Chucho el Roto continued to be shown as a Robin Hood-like figure in the 20th century. His story appeared in films, novels, radio shows, and even restaurants. Some examples include "La vida de Chucho el Roto" and the TV series "El Tesoro de Chucho el Roto." He is now seen as a smart and skilled carpenter. He lived, worked, and stole among Mexico’s high society. This image combines the idea of a romantic rural bandit with city crime and working-class life. Studies about Mexican bandits often use Chucho’s public image. They debate if famous bandits like Chucho serve as a model for people who disagree with society. This is because stories about them are still very popular.

See also

In Spanish: Chucho el Roto para niños