Comales, a rural community near Camargo, Tamaulipas, on 19 March 2013. According to security forces, Peña was killed as part of an internal strife incident within the Gulf Cartel that dated back to September 2011, when suspected Gulf Cartel leader Samuel Flores Borrego (alias "Metro 3") was killed by members of his own criminal group. Peña was confirmed dead by U.S. federal authorities, when his body was taken to the international crossing by his family members. Mexican authorities also confirmed his death. According to Peña's sister, the family was able to recover the body with the help of another Gulf Cartel regional leader, Juan Francisco Sáenz Támez, alias "Comandante Panochitas" (English: "Commander Pussy"). Peña was buried in a private ceremony in Texas. His family told the McAllen-based newspaper The Monitor in an interview that Peña died "with honor". When Peña was alive, he was regarded as a charismatic gangster and folk hero on both sides of the Mexico–United States border. Since his death, several have paid tribute to him online by creating a Facebook page and uploading photos and multiple rap music videos about him. This furthered Peña's image as some sort of gangster folk hero. Two of the music videos online tell the story of how Peña was killed, and claim that he was betrayed by a former ally. Peña's sister claims that his murderer was suspected Gulf Cartel regional leader known as Eduardo Luna, who shot Peña from behind because he was guarding US$2 million in cash for the Gulf Cartel. She claimed that after he killed Peña, Luna fled to the U.S., where he was later arrested for another murder and corruption case involving the United States Border Patrol. Peña's sister also claims that she had met Luna in Mexico, and that he killed several others before her brother. She said his alias in the Gulf Cartel was "Comandante Pájaro" (English: "Commander Bird"). Her claims were not independently verified by law enforcement, and she later declined an interview with The Texas Tribune. Luna's defense did not comment on Peña's case. See also Mexican Drug War Sources Footnotes References Bibliography External links Mario "Popo" Peña's Tribute Page on Facebook Rap Song of Mario "Popo" Peña by Lirik Dog on YouTube Rap Song of Mario "Popo" Peña by Mikey Rraa on YouTube 1980 births 2013 deaths Gulf Cartel members Murdered Mexican Americans People from Rio Grande City, Texas