MS-13

Mara Salvatrucha is a Los Angeles-based, predominantly Salvadoran, gang that is also active in Central America. The gang's name is commonly abbreviated as MS-13, Mara, MS, or "posse," and is composed of Salvatruchas. Its name translates into "street-tough Salvadorans" in the Spanish language. Although the gang was made by Hispanic people, the gang now includes African-Americans and occasionally Caucasian members. Though the gang is mostly made up of men and boys, some girls join the gang as well, although this is rare. The gang originated among Salvadoran emigrants living in Los Angeles but it has since spread to other parts of North America. Another huge part of "MS-13," is in Philadephia, Queens, Tampa Bay and primarily emerging in Andover, a small city north of Boston. It emerged in the 1980s during El Salvador's violent civil war and is estimated as of 2005 to have 50,000 members in Central America and between 8,000 and 10,000 members in the United States ^[1] The "13" is a gang number associated with southern California and also signifies the thirteen rules that the gang follows.

Geographical presence

Although founded among immigrants in the United States, Mara Salvatrucha now has a large presence in El Salvador. Much of this is due to the United States policy of deporting convicted criminals back to their country of origin. Back in El Salvador, these deportees have recruited more members, including new members who emigrate illegally to the United States. ^[2]

The age of a Mara Salvatrucha member can range from 8 to 50. The gangs have moved from beyond their Salvadoran,Mexican and Los Angeles origins and can be found now in Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, Canada, Mexico, and over 30 U.S. states, in New Orleans around Washington, DC in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs, and especially in Long Island, New York. Some sets have even been founded in Spain, Italy, and Belgium. Not many of the founding members remain, and the original purpose of forming the MS-13 has become lost with time and transformed into a common criminal gang with a peculiar structure. Many original members belonged to left-wing insurgent groups and right-wing death squads who degenerated into criminal activity after the end of the Salvadoran Civil War in 1992 and joined MS-13 for various reasons. MS-13 is known for accepting black members. Members of these various groups have training in firearms, explosives, and booby traps. There is no centralization or hierarchy among the gang from different regions. A 2004 report by the U.S. National Drug Intelligence Center says chapters of Mara Salvatrucha in different areas may be trying to set up a coordination network. In 2005, police in Maryland and Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., noticed an increase in the presence of the gang, including incidents of gang-related stabbings and other violence. Members are strongly encouraged to have tattoos to express their allegiance to Mara Salvatrucha. One of the two founders of MS-13 was shot 10 times and murdered in May of 2006 in his home in El Salvador. A few hours earlier he had declined an invitation to attend a party for a gang member who had just been released from prison. He had renounced violence but still had ties to the gang. (New York Times 5/17/2006)

The name and influences

The word "mara" means gang. "Salvatrucha" is a portmanteau of Salvadorian and trucha (literally trout) a local Salvadorian-Spanish slang for being alert, vigilant, at the ready (usually entailing preparedness for crime, or abuse from police): "El significado de salvatrucha es ponerse listo, trucha, abusado" [3]. There is speculation though unclear evidence, that they have adopted the number 13 in their name as a reference to their roots on 13th Street in Los Angeles, and because of influences from other Hispanic gangs such as the Mexican Mafia or Sureños who are known to use the number 13 to identify each other. The number 13 represents Hispanic gangs in Southern California and the number 14 represents Hispanic gangs in Northern California.

Gang markings

MS-13 members have tattoos on most of their upper body, including the arms and face, with lettering done in Gothic (Blackletter) style. The "MS" and "13" is always tattooed on them. (This has resulted in the arrest and detention of many people, first in Honduras then in El Salvador for illicit association based entirely on the fact that they are wearing tattoos associated with gang membership.) Other tattoos include also the comedy and tragedy faces are claimed as the phrase "laugh now cry later" always with the smiling one up an on the right, three dots on the left hand (between index and thumb, lastly the letters "M" and "S" on either top eyelid is a more blunt symbol. A shaved head with a goatee beard is also popular.

Colors claimed are black, dark tan, and desert camo. East Coast members wear blue and white, Taken from the El Salvadorian flag. Their pants are not sagged but very baggy and always, tan or brown. Main brand is "Dickies", which are nailed in to the back of the shoe so not to get them dirty. Black bandanas are tied around either wrist with the tied end on the underside of the wrist. Also gang members wear shirts with “South Side” or “Laugh Now Cry Later” on their backs.

Along with the number 13 some "Posers" (people claiming affiliation with a specific group of people, but just say such to "fit in" or be "in crowd") claim the number 31, which may or may not be a "real" gang, but most "members" are young adults or children.

Deportation

One of the ways in which the MS 13 has grown and spread has been through United States deportation policy. The United States has a policy of deporting non-citizens convicted of felonies to their country of origin. Salvadoran members of MS 13 were and are deported to El Salvador, where they recruit more members. Many guards in Salvadorean prisons are easily corrupted through bribes, or are forcefully coerced to release the recently deported MS 13 members.

Organized Crime

MS has business in hustling illegal immigrants over the border (coyotes, in Spanish). Many members in America have been illegally smuggled into the country. Many gang leaders go to small towns and beat up young men and boys until they join. MS also does business in narcotics, arms dealing, prostitution, and theft/robbery. Recently in June 2006 a report out of California confirmed that for a member to be sworn into the gang the member would have to assault or even kill an African-American female.

Rituals

A popular MS ritual is paying respects to dead members in El Salvador while consuming marijuana. Members to be initiated are also "jumped" (beaten) by the top six members from the group while the others slowly count to 13, though the length of this count can range from seconds to minutes. Those who are not affiliated with the gang, mainly in Central America, are killed at night, which is why many districts have a curfew.

False rumored ties with Al-Qaeda

Law enforcement throughout the United States began to crack down hard on MS-13 after it was rumored that members of the international Islamic terrorism group Al-Qaeda (القاعدة) had been in secret talks with members of MS-13 in Honduras and in Washington D.C..

After thorough investigation, the FBI has found no evidence that any links between al-Qaeda and MS-13 exist. Due to the serious nature of these rumors, the FBI has made several statements attempting to set the record straight.

Sworn enemies and other threats

• One group sworn to eradicate MS is the Sombra Negra ("Black Shadow") death squad. Sombra Negra is an unsanctioned vigilante group made up of police and soldiers in El Salvador. Sombra Negra hunts down and executes all types of criminals, including MS-13 members. In spite of their vigilance, they often kill suspected MS 13 members on sight, which usually have no proof that they are even criminals.
• Ernesto "Smokey" Miranda, a co-founder of the MS in Los Angeles, left the gang and was helping children to stay out of gangs. [4]. He was gunned down on May 16, 2006, outside of his home in El Salvador.
• In March 2005, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a crackdown on MS-13. 103 individuals were arrested in seven cities.
• MS-13 members will attack 18th Street gang members on sight. It is the chief rival of the gang in El Salvador.
• In August 2005, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced that gangs are "a threat to our homeland security and [...] a very urgent law enforcement priority." Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 1,057 gang members, 582 of whom are members of MS-13.
• In September 2005, a two-day sting involving more than 6,400 government agents from the United States, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico produced the arrests of close to 660 members of MS-13.
• Another Gang Rival is the "18", who also had origin in L.A. in the Street 18. The MS-13 started in street 13. Both gangs are rivals and often are at war with one another
• US Border Patrol
• Mexican Mafia

Links http://www.knowgangs.com/gang_resources/ms/

Notes

• ^ Davis, Peter. At the edges of empire. The Nation, vol. 281, no. 2, 11 July, 2005, 16-20. p.17.
• ^ ibid.