The Mafia history

The origins of the Sicilian Mafia Commission mark a pivotal moment in The Mafia history, shaping the structure of organized crime in Sicily. Before the Commission’s formation, Mafia families operated independently, each ruling over its own territory without a centralized governing body. However, a crucial meeting between top American and Sicilian mobsters in Palermo, October 1957, changed everything.

The historic meeting of 1957: the birth of a commission

Between October 12-16, 1957, a series of strategic meetings took place at the Hotel delle Palme and the Spanò seafood restaurant in Palermo. These gatherings brought together influential figures from both sides of the Atlantic, including Joseph Bonanno and Lucky Luciano, key architects of the American Mafia’s Commission.

Bonanno and Luciano encouraged their Sicilian counterparts to establish a centralized governing body, mirroring the American Mafia’s Commission formed in the 1930s. The Sicilian Mafia agreed, and Tommaso Buscetta, Gaetano Badalamenti, and Salvatore Greco “Ciaschiteddu” played crucial roles in drafting its rules.

By early 1958, the first Sicilian Mafia Commission was officially formed, consisting of Mafia families from the province of Palermo, which housed around 46 “cosche” (Mafia families).

Structure and purpose of the sicilian mafia commission

Initially, the Commission served as a regulatory body, ensuring coordination among Mafia families while maintaining a balance of power. Salvatore “Ciaschiteddu” Greco was appointed its first “rappresentante regionale” (regional representative), acting as a primus inter pares—the first among equals. His primary role was to organize meetings, as at the time, the Commission did not hold significant power.

Prior to its formation, Mafia families coordinated their actions through informal meetings among the most influential bosses. However, the Commission formalized these interactions into a structured governing body.

The Commission had two core responsibilities:

• Conflict Resolution: It mediated disputes between Mafia families and enforced disciplinary measures against violations of Cosa Nostra’s code of conduct.
• Regulating Violence: It exercised exclusive authority over high-profile murders, such as those involving police officers, prosecutors, judges, politicians, journalists, and lawyers. These killings required Commission approval to avoid provoking government crackdowns. Additionally, no Family boss could order the murder of a member from another Family without prior approval from the Commission.

Power struggles and the evolution of the commission

Despite its intent to create a balanced power structure, the Commission’s authority was often challenged. Initially, a rule was established stating that only “men of honor” without leadership positions in their own Families could be appointed as Commission members. However, powerful bosses opposed this restriction and threatened to abandon the project. As a result, the rule was abolished, allowing Family bosses to participate directly.

From its creation until the early 1980s, the Sicilian Mafia Commission functioned with limited effectiveness due to the strong autonomy of Family bosses. This changed when Totò Riina, Bernardo Provenzano, and the Corleonesi faction seized control, transforming the Commission into a centralized leadership structure. However, rather than acting as an independent governing body, the Commission under Riina and Provenzano became a tool for enforcing their rule, losing its original autonomy.

The first sicilian mafia commission: key members

According to Tommaso Buscetta, the first Commission included “not many more than ten” members. The founding members were:

• Salvatore Greco “Ciaschiteddu” – Ciaculli mandamento (Palermo)
• Antonio Matranga – Resuttana mandamento (Palermo)
• Mariano Troia – San Lorenzo mandamento (Palermo)
• Michele Cavataio – Acquasanta mandamento (Palermo)
• Calcedonio Di Pisa – Noce mandamento (Palermo)
• Salvatore La Barbera – Palermo Centro mandamento
• Cesare Manzella – Cinisi mandamento
• Giuseppe Panno – Casteldaccia mandamento
• Antonio Salamone – San Giuseppe Jato mandamento
• Lorenzo Motisi – Pagliarelli mandamento (Palermo)
• Salvatore Manno – Boccadifalco mandamento (Palermo)
• Francesco Sorci – Santa Maria di Gesù mandamento (Palermo)
• Mario Di Girolamo – Corso Calatafimi mandamento (Palermo)

Despite its establishment, the Commission failed to prevent internal conflicts, leading to the Mafia War of 1963.

The 1963 mafia war: the collapse of the first commission

The Sicilian Mafia Commission was dissolved after the outbreak of the 1963 Mafia War, a violent internal conflict triggered by a heroin deal gone wrong. The dispute escalated when Calcedonio Di Pisa was murdered on December 26, 1962, wrongly accused of mishandling the deal.

Instead of resolving the conflict, the Commission became a battleground for rival factions. The war reached its peak on June 30, 1963, when a car bomb exploded near Greco’s house in Ciaculli, killing seven police and military officers sent to defuse it after an anonymous tip.

This Ciaculli Massacre led to Italy’s first major anti-Mafia crackdown, forcing many Mafia leaders into hiding or exile. Salvatore Greco “Ciaschiteddu” fled to Caracas, Venezuela.

Michele Cavataio: the mastermind behind the sar

According to Buscetta, the real orchestrator of the conflict was Michele Cavataio, boss of the Acquasanta quarter of Palermo. Cavataio:

• Blamed the La Barbera faction for Di Pisa’s murder, fueling the war.
• Orchestrated additional bombings and killings, escalating the violence.
• Opposed the growing power of the Commission, backed by other dissatisfied Mafia families.

His manipulations eventually led to his assassination on December 10, 1969, in what became known as the Viale Lazio Massacre. The hit squad included Calogero Bagarella, Bernardo Provenzano, and Giuseppe Di Cristina, eliminating Cavataio in retaliation for his role in the Mafia War.

The end of the first commission and its legacy

The first Sicilian Mafia Commission was a significant turning point in The Mafia history. While initially designed to create a balance of power, it ultimately failed due to internal rivalries and power struggles. The Ciaculli Massacre marked a turning point, leading to greater state intervention and shaping the future of Cosa Nostra Commission governance.

Today, the legacy of the Sicilian Mafia Commission remains a subject of deep historical and criminological study, offering a fascinating insight into the Sicilian Mafia origins and its transformation over the decades.