Independiente · Avellaneda
La Barra del Rojo
La Barra del Rojo is the generic name for Independiente's organised support: the 2017 case, factions, the 2025 arrests and the 2026 indictment, per the press.
Illustrative archive photograph. Football ultras · Biso · CC BY 4.0. Framing adapted to the header. This image does not identify the group described.
At a glance
La Barra del Rojo in 30 seconds
La Barra del Rojo is the generic name for Independiente's violent organised support, not for its whole fan base. The press distinguishes factions: Los Dueños de Avellaneda, to which Infobae attributes command of the popular stand, and Los Diablos Rojos, the sector of its historic leader. The sources record the 2017 unlawful association case, a 2019 conviction, the arrests of 212 barras in November 2025 and an indictment for unlawful association and drug trafficking in September 2026, which is not a conviction.
- Club
- Independiente
- City
- Avellaneda
- Stadium
- Libertadores de América - Ricardo Enrique Bochini
- Stand
- Cabecera Norte · Estadio Libertadores de América
- Situation
- Indictment of its historic leader for unlawful association and drug trafficking, with no conviction in that case (Infobae, September 2026)
Documented history
La Barra del Rojo: Independiente's organised support, 2017 to 2025
La Barra del Rojo is not the name of a single organisation but the way of referring to the set of Independiente's organised groups. Press sources distinguish factions with control over different ends of the Libertadores de América stadium and describe a struggle for the stand that led to incidents with Universidad de Chile in August 2025 and to mass arrests in November. Court proceedings are presented with their stage: charge, indictment or conviction.
A generic name and several factions
El Economista (August 2025) describes a map of power with an official faction that occupies the stadium's Norte end and a dissident one that dominates the Sur end, and attributes to the former «leadership support, political backing and police protection»; this is a journalistic assessment, not a court conclusion. Infobae (January 2025) places command of the popular stand, for six years, in the Barracas group, Los Dueños de Avellaneda.
See this section's source ↗The 2017 unlawful association case
Perfil 442 (October 2017) defines a historic leader of the barra as «one of the most legendary barras, with a leadership that has lasted more than two decades». According to Diario de Cuyo (30 November 2017), the club's first vice-president was arrested «accused of belonging to an unlawful association» led by that figure. Infobae (2022) summarises that the prosecutors' investigation holds that the barra formed an unlawful association and defrauded the club together with officials, and that several barras testified as repentants; their statements are those of defendants and are not equivalent to proven facts. Letra P (December 2017) framed the case as part of the political dispute between union leaders and the government of the time.
See this section's source ↗The coach case and the 2019 conviction
According to Perfil 442 (2017), Pablo «Bebote» Álvarez turned himself in after an arrest warrant for extorting the club's then coach. Diario de Cuyo reported on 29 October 2019 that he was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for attempted extortion and threats against the coach, in a ruling by Tribunal Oral 5 of Lomas de Zamora. It is a conviction for that specific case; it does not resolve the 2017 unlawful association case.
See this section's source ↗Los Dueños de Avellaneda and control of the popular stand
Infobae (September 2025) speaks of members prepared to defend the spot they have held «for eight years now» in the Norte popular stand, and of those in charge of drums and flags who direct the barra from outside when the leadership has no access to the stadium. According to the outlet, the leadership, without access to the stadium, kept some 200 men in that stand. After the incidents of 20 August 2025 against Universidad de Chile, in the Copa Sudamericana, the Ministry of Security banned, according to Infobae, one of the bosses from entering all the country's grounds indefinitely, and days later another man took his place on the main paravalancha as the new boss.
See this section's source ↗November 2025: 212 arrested in Gerli
Montevideo Portal, with an EFE photo, reported on 16 November 2025 that Aprevide arrested 212 members of Los Diablos Rojos, including their historic leader, before Independiente–Rosario Central. According to the piece, they intended to take back the stand dominated by the rival faction, Los Dueños de Avellaneda; more than 20 flags and 13 drums were seized and those arrested would remain so until questioned for «public intimidation and promoting disorder».
See this section's source ↗September 2026: indictment of its historic leader
According to Infobae (30 September 2026), judge Gustavo Meirovich indicted Álvarez for unlawful association and aggravated drug trafficking, with an asset freeze of 800 million pesos, and he will remain in detention until the oral trial. The accused declared: «I am innocent». An indictment is a decision of the investigation phase and is not equivalent to a conviction.
See this section's source ↗Frequently asked questions
Getting to know La Barra del Rojo
What is La Barra del Rojo?
It is the generic name used to refer to Independiente's organised groups; it does not designate the club's whole fan base. The press distinguishes factions such as Los Dueños de Avellaneda and Los Diablos Rojos.
Who is Pablo «Bebote» Álvarez?
According to Perfil 442 (2017), one of Independiente's most legendary barras, with more than two decades of leadership. Infobae cites him in 2010 as the guardian of the NGO Hinchadas Unidas Argentinas during the South Africa World Cup.
Was he convicted?
Yes, to three and a half years in prison in 2019 for attempted extortion and threats against the club's coach, according to Diario de Cuyo. It is a conviction for that case, distinct from the 2026 indictment.
What happened in September 2026?
According to Infobae, a judge indicted him for unlawful association and aggravated drug trafficking, ordered an asset freeze of 800 million pesos and ruled that he remain in detention until the oral trial. Álvarez said: «I am innocent». There is no conviction in that case.
Who controls the stand?
According to Infobae (2025), Los Dueños de Avellaneda, who occupy the Norte popular stand. El Economista (August 2025) places the official faction at the Norte end and the dissident one at the Sur.
What is Hinchadas Unidas Argentinas?
According to Infobae (June 2026), an NGO that took more than 300 violent fans to the 2010 World Cup with official consent, under the guardianship of the then leader of Independiente's stand.
Were there mass arrests?
Yes. According to Aprevide, cited by Montevideo Portal and EFE, 212 members of Los Diablos Rojos were arrested in Gerli on 15 November 2025 before the match against Rosario Central.
Who is its main rival?
Racing Club, in the Avellaneda derby. Página/12 (2002) dealt with the bloodshed between the barras of both clubs.
When was Independiente's barra founded?
No press source consulted dates its origin. Diario de Cuyo (May 2013) places Pablo «Bebote» Álvarez's rise from 2004 until he took power in «Los Diablos Rojos»; that is the start of a leadership, not a founding.
Is an ideology attributed to Independiente's barra?
No source consulted attributes an ideology to the barra. Infobae (2022) records remarks by repentant barras about money from the Moyano family and Letra P (2017) frames the case as a political dispute between Macri and Moyano; these are links and remarks by defendants, not an ideological position.
Sources
The documents behind this history
Each source keeps its date and scope. Titles appear in their original language. An insider account, an announcement and an official decision document different facts.
- Procesaron a Bebote Álvarez, acusado de integrar una banda narco: los audios, fotos y pruebas que lo incriminan ↗
Infobae · Gustavo Grabia · 30 September 2026
The September 2026 indictment and the declaration of innocence.
- 'Bebote', el innombrable que volvió a prisión | 442 ↗
Perfil 442 · 28 October 2017
Profile of the leader and the 2017 arrest in the coach case.
- Condenaron a 3 años y medio de prisión a Bebote Álvarez ↗
Diario de Cuyo · 29 October 2019
The 2019 conviction for attempted extortion and threats against the coach.
- Detuvieron al vice de Independiente ↗
Diario de Cuyo · 30 November 2017
Arrest of the first vice-president in the unlawful association case.
- “El Salvaje”, in trouble: Justice reinvestigates Pablo Moyano as head of the Independiente bar ↗
Infobae (English edition) · 14 March 2022
Summary of the prosecutors' case on unlawful association and the statements of repentants.
- Argentina: más de 200 barras de Independiente detenidos previo al partido ante Central ↗
Montevideo Portal (FútbolUy, EFE photo) · 16 November 2025
The arrests of 15 November 2025 in Gerli and the material seized.
- Quién manda en la barra de Independiente: el mapa de poder tras la batalla campal con los hinchas de la Universidad de Chile ↗
El Economista · 22 August 2025
Official and dissident factions and the ends they occupy.
- Independiente vuelve a su estadio tras los incidentes: las preocupantes internas de la barra y un operativo especial ↗
Infobae · Gustavo Grabia · 13 September 2025
Leadership without access to the stadium, the Norte popular stand and those in charge of drums and flags.
- Radiografía del 2025 de las barras del fútbol argentino: las internas que están a punto de explotar ↗
Infobae · Gustavo Grabia · 16 January 2025
Factions of the barra and command of the popular stand in 2025.
- Cuáles son las barras que buscan dominar la tribuna de la selección argentina en el Mundial: los nombres prohibidos ↗
Infobae · Gustavo Grabia · 9 June 2026
Hinchadas Unidas Argentinas and the 2010 World Cup.
- Le prohibieron el ingreso a los estadios de todo el país a uno de los jefes de la barra brava de Independiente ↗
Infobae · 29 August 2025
Nationwide ban, for an indefinite period, after the incidents with Universidad de Chile.
- Quién es el nuevo jefe de la barra de Independiente: sus videos amenazantes y la interna a punto de explotar ↗
Infobae · Gustavo Grabia · 17 September 2025
New boss on the main paravalancha of the Norte popular stand.
- El allanamiento en Independiente que reaviva la disputa Macri - Moyano ↗
Letra P · 28 December 2017
Political framing of the case and the raid on the club's headquarters.
- Página/12 :: Deportes :: El fútbol se va a dormir con el enemigo ↗
Página/12 · Gustavo Veiga · 24 February 2002
Confrontations between the Racing and Independiente barras in the Avellaneda derby.
- El museo de «Bebote» ↗
Diario de Cuyo (editorial staff) · 2 May 2013
Álvarez's rise from 2004 until he took power in «Los Diablos Rojos» and his removal through an admission ban.
Documentary review: 23 October 2026. English edition: 21 October 2026. Editorial team: Mundo Ultras.
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