The Story of Salvatore 'Toto' Riina

Introduction

• Salvatore Riina, known as Toto, was a notorious boss of the Sicilian Mafia.
• Renowned for his ruthlessness and audacity in confronting the Italian State and rivals.
• Centralized the previously decentralized Sicilian Mafia under his control.
• Dominated the National Crime Scene in the 1980s.
• His actions led to the eventual decline of the Mafia in Sicily.

Early Life

• Born in 1930 in Corleone, a small town in Sicily.
• Grew up in severe poverty, which shaped his mentality and future actions.
• At 13, witnessed the tragic deaths of his father and younger brother due to a bomb explosion.
• The event had a profound psychological impact, turning him into a ruthless individual.

Rise to Power

• Took over the family land after his father's death, becoming the breadwinner at a young age.
• Built connections with influential Mafia figures like Bernardo Provenzano and Luciano Leggio.
• Joined Leggio's gang and started engaging in violent activities.
• In 1949, was sentenced to 12 years for a murder but served only 6.

Power Struggles and Ascendance

• 1958: Key involvement in removal of Mafia boss Navarra, aiding Leggio in becoming the new boss.
• Carried out numerous violent reprisals against rivals and anyone associated with Navarra.
• The first Mafia War: Marked by high levels of violence, seeking to centralize power.

Establishing Control

• 1963: Arrested and spent years in prison, gaining further respect within the Mafia community.
• 1969: Released and quickly resumed Mafia activities, taking up leadership after Leggio's arrest.
• Formed strong ties with the US Mafia, contributing to heroin trafficking operations.
• Played a key role in the establishment of the Sicilian Mafia commission, known as the 'Cupola'.

Second Mafia War

• 1981: Launched the Second Mafia War to gain total control over the Sicilian Mafia.
• Resulted in the deaths of over 200 rival gang members and associates.
• Employed extremely violent methods, leading to centralization of Mafia power.

Confrontation with the State

• Increasingly targeted state figures, politicians, and law enforcement officials.
• Major attacks in the 1980s, including the assassination of influential political leader and police general.
• Judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino appointed to tackle the Mafia, receiving detailed information from a turncoat.
• 1984: Ordered a bomb attack on a train, killing 17 in an effort to mislead the state.

Maxi Trials and Decline

• 1986–1992: Maxi trials resulted in significant convictions of Mafia members, including life sentences for high-level bosses.
• Despite massive state crackdown, continued aggressive strategies.
• 1992: Assassinations of judges Falcone and Borsellino increased public and state backlash.

Arrest and Legacy

• 1993: Riina was finally captured and sentenced to 26 life sentences in a highly publicized trial.
• His audacious and brutal methods ultimately led to the Mafia's decline.
• Died in 2017, leaving behind a legacy of extreme violence and the centralization of Mafia power.

Lessons from Riina's Story

• The story of Riina illustrates the destructive nature of unbridled ambition and greed.
• Importance of differentiating between healthy ambition and destructive greed.
• Need for strategic thinking and caution in the face of success.
• Historical examples show the consequences of unchecked ambition leading to downfall.
• Key takeaway: adapt, reflect, and consolidate gains rather than being driven by ambition alone.