Mate Cocido (outlaw)

Mate Cocido was a 20th-century Argentine outlaw, whose real name was Segundo David Peralta. He was active primarily in the provinces of Chaco and Formosa.

Peralta acquired the nickname "Mate Cocido" (meaning "boiled mate") because, according to legend, he only consumed that particular type of mate tea. He led a band of rural workers and indigenous people in acts of rebellion against landowners and corrupt officials. While often characterized as a bandit and a criminal, Mate Cocido is also remembered in some circles as a folk hero, fighting for the rights of the underprivileged and challenging the established order.

His actions, which included raids on estates and confrontations with authorities, brought him both notoriety and support among the impoverished rural population. The precise motivations and long-term goals of his movement are debated, with some historians characterizing him as a genuine revolutionary while others portray him simply as a powerful gang leader.

Mate Cocido was eventually captured and killed by law enforcement in the late 1930s. However, his legacy continues to be remembered, particularly in the regions where he operated, and he remains a symbolic figure of resistance to injustice for some.