La Vida Loca 

Héctor Adolfo Quintanar Pérez

2024 — Mexico City

About this series

The Iztapalapa mayor’s office is one of the most violent points in Mexico City because of drug sales, robberies, armed robberies, kidnappings, etc. Since its origins as a delegation in the mid-20th century, Iztapalapa has received little attention from the government and its inhabitants have often had to turn to illegal activities to survive. The lack of opportunities in these neighborhoods created violence -and solidarity- among their residents, leading to the establishment of gangs like these associated with the “cholo” culture (Mexican American gang subculture). They protect their own neighborhoods and defend them from any enemy or authority that wishes to prey on their interests.
Two of these neighborhoods, “La Polvorilla” and “Pancho Villa”, one in the center and the other in its vicinity, were the sites of this project. In this area, people face harsh social conditions that impact their activities and identities. Nowadays, many of them struggle to live a life away from the violence of the streets, but it is very hard to leave an environment that has shaped their entire lives.

Photographer: Héctor Adolfo Quintanar Pérez
Nationality: Mexican
Based in: Mexico City, Mexico
Website: www.hectoradolfoquintanarperez.com
Instagram: @hector_ad_quintanar

Archaeologist and master in Anthropology from the Universidad Veracruzana with studies in photojournalism from the UNAM.
His work focuses on coverage of issues related to Human Rights, Culture, Conflict and Violence.
His photographs have led him to cover natural disasters, invasions, genocides, coups d’état and journalism in general in countries such as: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, United States, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, India, Ethiopia, Poland,Haiti and Ukraine.