La Cucaracha
By Lalo Alcaraz | 4.2K FollowersAbout La Cucaracha
"La Cucaracha" is a unique strip that provides a view of the world through the sharp, satiric lens of its young Latino characters and the fertile mind of acclaimed creator Lalo Alcaraz. Growing up on the U.S./Mexico border gave Lalo a dual outlook on life. He’s not "Mexican" enough for his relatives in Mexico and not "American" enough for some in the U.S. It’s this double-edged Spanglish attitude that fuels the jalapeño-biting satirical observations in his daily comic strip, "La Cucaracha."
In 2025, creator Lalo Alcaraz was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award for Editorial Cartooning. To support Alcaraz's work to amplify other underrepresented voices in Los Angeles and beyond, consider donating here.
Meet Lalo Alcaraz
Lalo Alcaraz, distinguished editorial cartoonist and Latino journalist, captures the essence of the changing cultural and political panorama of the country. He is the creator of "La Cucaracha," the first political daily strip with syndicated distribution.
Alcaraz has produced editorial cartoons for LA Weekly since 1992 and also creates editorial cartoons in English and Spanish for Andrews McMeel Syndication. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Village Voice, Los Angeles Times, Variety, Hispanic Magazine, Latina Magazine, La Jornada in Mexico City, BUNTE (People magazine in Germany), and many other publications.
Co-editor of the satirical magazine POCHO, Alcaraz has also illustrated the book “Latino USA: a Cartoon History."
Alcaraz began drawing daily editorial cartoons in the "The Daily Aztec" at State University of San Diego in 1985. Two years later, he earned his bachelor's degree in art and environmental design. In 1991, Alcaraz obtained his M.A. in architecture at California University, Berkeley.
Alcaraz has received four awards for Best Cartoons in Weekly Journals of Southern California Journalism as well as the Award for Excellency in Communications from the Los Angeles Hispanic Public Relations Association and the “Art as a Hammer” award from the Center for the Study of Political Graphics. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, a teacher at a public school, and two children.
Cast of Characters
Eddie
A young Latino living in East L.A. and dealing with the daily absurdities of American life.
Cuco
Eddie's alter-ego. Cuco says what he thinks and does what he wants.
Vero
Eddie's friend and a public schoolteacher in East L.A.