Mara Salvatrucha refers to large gangs in Central America and the United States. The gang names are commonly abbreviated as MS^[1], Mara, and MS-13, and are composed mostly of Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Hondurans, and other Central Americans. The Mara Salvatrucha gangs have cliques, or factions, located throughout the United States and Latin America. For other uses, see Central America (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... Hispanic (Spanish: ; Portuguese: ; Latin: , adjective from Hispānia, the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula) is a term that historically denoted relation to the ancient Hispania and its peoples. ... For the Brazilian pop singer, see Latino (singer). ... Panamanian motor vessel Gatun during the largest cocaine bust in United States Coast Guard history (20 tons), off the coast of Panama. ... Extortion is a criminal offense, which occurs when a person either obtains money, property or services from another through coercion or intimidation or threatens one with physical harm unless they are paid money or property. ... Gunrunning, also known as arms trafficking, is trafficking in (smuggling) contraband weapons and ammunition. ... Contract killing occurs when a private contractor or a government hires someone to kill a specific person or people for a sum of money. ... The Black Guerrilla Family (also known as the Black Family or the Black Vanguard) was founded in 1966 by George Jackson while he was in San Quentin. ... The Bloods are one of the Los Angeles, California street gangs. ... The blue bandanas worn by most Crip gangs. ... The Folk Nation (colloquially known as Folks) is an alliance of street gangs based out of the Chicago area which has since branched throughout the United States specifically in the Midwest[1] and the south. ... The Irish Mob, or Irish Mafia, is one of the oldest organized crime groups in the United States, in existence since the early 19th century. ... People Nation is an alliance of street gangs based out of the Chicago area. ... For other uses, see Central America (disambiguation). ... Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ...

The gang has moved beyond its Salvadoran and American origins and now can be found in other nations, including Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Spain, Great Britain and Germany, according to international press on criminal activity. Membership in the United States was believed to be as many as 10,000 as of 2005.^[2] MS-13 criminal activities include drug smuggling and sales, black market gun sales, human trafficking, theft, assaults on law enforcement officials, and contract killing.^[3]-1... Panamanian motor vessel Gatun during the largest cocaine bust in United States Coast Guard history (20 tons), off the coast of Panama. ... For other uses, see Human trafficking (disambiguation). ... A young waif steals a pair of boots Stealing redirects here. ... Contract killing occurs when a private contractor or a government hires someone to kill a specific person or people for a sum of money. ...

Their activities have caught the eye of the FBI, who in September 2005 initiated wide-scale raids against suspected gang members, netting 660 arrests across the country.^[4] In the United States, the gang's strongholds have historically been in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.. In Allentown, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and other areas of Pennsylvania, the gang is known for its street graffiti, which is used to depict their presence on certain blocks and also sometimes provides clues to their forthcoming crimes, including murder, robbery, narcotics, and especially as a prediction of retaliatory violence. This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the U.S state. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Delaware. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... For other uses, see Indiana (disambiguation). ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Largest metro area Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 101 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N... This article is about the U.S. state. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... This article is about the state. ... Official language(s) English Demonym North Carolinian Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Largest metro area Charlotte metro area Area  Ranked 28th in the US  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (340 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (900 km)  - % water 9. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the U.S. state of Tennessee. ... For other uses, see Texas (disambiguation). ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... For other uses, see Washington, D.C. (disambiguation). ... Nickname: Motto: Sic Semper Tyrannis Pennsylvanias location in the United States Allentowns location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Lehigh Founded 1762 Government  - Mayor Ed Pawlowski Area  - City  18. ... Harrisburg is the name of many places in the United States of America: Harrisburg, Arkansas Harrisburg, Illinois Harrisburg, Missouri Harrisburg, Nebraska Harrisburg, New York Town in Lewis County Hamlet in Cattaraugus County Hamlet in Warren County Harrisburg, North Carolina Harrisburg, Ohio Harrisburg, Oregon Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania state capital and near... For other uses, see Philadelphia (disambiguation) and Philly. ... For other uses, see Graffiti (disambiguation). ...

Former gang member Brenda Paz said that MS is well structured, with multiple leaders, and that the gang's goal is to become the top gang in the United States.^[4] Brenda Paz (1985-2003) was an MS-13 (a Hispanic gang) member. ...

History

The Mara Salvatrucha gang originated in Los Angeles.^[5] There is some dispute about the etymology of the name (see below: Etymology). The most common belief is that the word "Mara" refers to the Spanish word for "gang", and it is suggested that "Salvatrucha" refers to the Salvadoran guerrillas, the source of much of the gang's early manpower. The gang was set up in Los Angeles in 1980's by Salvadoran immigrants in the city's Pico-Union neighborhood.^[6] Mara Salvatrucha refers to large gangs in Central America and the United States. ... -1... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... Events and trends The 1980s marked an abrupt shift towards more conservative lifestyles after the momentous cultural revolutions which took place in the 1960s and 1970s and the definition of the AIDS virus in 1981. ... The intersection of Pico and Union Pico-Union is a district in central Los Angeles, California. ...

Originally, the gang's main purpose was to protect Salvadoran immigrants from other, more established gangs of Los Angeles, who were predominately comprised of Mexicans and African-Americans.^[7] For this reason, the gang initially allowed only Salvadorans to join, but later allowed other Central Americans to join as well. The United Mexican States or Mexico (Spanish: Estados Unidos Mexicanos or México; regarding the use of the variant spelling Méjico, see section The name below) is a country located in North America, bordered to the north by the United States of America, to the southeast by Guatemala and Belize, to... Languages Predominantly American English Religions Predominantly Christianity and Islam Related ethnic groups Sub-Saharan Africans and other African groups, some with Native American groups. ...

Many Mara Salvatrucha gang members from the Los Angeles area have been deported either because of their illegal status in the United States, or for committing crimes as non-citizens, or both. As a result of these deportations, members of MS-13 have recruited more members in their home countries. The Los Angeles Times contends that deportation policies have contributed to the size and influence of the gang both in the United States and in Central America. Salvadoran authorities report that approximately 60% of prison inmates serving prison terms for gang-related crimes there have either fled prosecution or been deported from the United States.^[8]

Publicized crimes

On July 23, 2003, Brenda Paz, a 17-year old female, was found murdered on the banks of the Shenandoah River in Virginia. Brenda Paz was killed for "snitching" or telling the police about Mara Salvatrucha activities. Four of her friends were later convicted of the murder.^[9] is the 204th day of the year (205th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Brenda Paz (1985-2003) was an MS-13 (a Hispanic gang) member. ... Shenandoah River Watershed Canoeing on the Shenandoah River, near Winchester, Virginia This article is about the river in Virginia in the United States. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ...

On December 23, 2004, one of the most widely publicized MS-13 crimes in Central America happened in Chamelecón, Honduras. An intercity bus was intercepted and sprayed with automatic gunfire, killing 28 passengers most of whom were women and children. ^[10] In February 2007 the courts found Juan Carlos Miranda Bueso and Darwin Alexis Ramírez guilty of several crimes including murder and attempted murder. Ebert Anibal Rivera was held over the attack and was arrested in Texas after having fled ^[11]. Juan Bautista Jimenez, accused of masterminding the attack, was killed in prison. According to the authorities, he was hanged by fellow MS-13 inmates. is the 357th day of the year (358th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Chamelecón is a suburb of San Pedro Sula in Honduras. ... Hanging to Music. ...

On May 13, 2006, Ernesto "Smokey" Miranda was murdered at his home in El Salvador, a few hours after declining to attend a party for a gang member who had just been released from prison. He had begun studying law and working to keep children out of gangs. He was an ex-high ranking soldier and one of the founders of the Mara Salvatrucha.^[12] is the 133rd day of the year (134th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On June 4, 2008, in Toronto, Ontario police executed 22 search warrants, made 17 arrests and laid 63 charges following a five-month investigation.^[13] is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... Template:Hide = Motto: Template:Unhide = Diversity Our Strength Image:Toronto, Ontario Location. ...

Illegal immigration and human smuggling

According to The Washington Times, MS-13 "is thought to have established a major smuggling center" in Mexico.^[14] There were reports that MS-13 members were ordered to Arizona to target border guards and Minuteman Project volunteers.^[15][16]. For the newspaper founded in 1893 by William Randolph Hearst, see Washington Times-Herald. ... The Minuteman Project Civil Defense Corps was started in April 2005 by a group of American citizens to deter illegal crossings of the United States–Mexico border. ...

In 2005, Honduran Security Minister Oscar Alvarez and the President of El Salvador raised alarm by claiming that Al-Qaeda was meeting with MS-13 and other Central American gangs to help them infiltrate the United States. FBI agents said that the U.S. intelligence community and governments of several Central American countries found there is no basis to believe that MS-13 is connected to Al-Qaeda or other Islamic radicals although he did visit Central America to discuss the issue.^[17] Oscar Álvarez was Honduran Interior Minister from January 27th 2002 until November 14, 2005 when he unexpectedly resigned days before a general election, and blaming the Liberal Party of Honduras (PLH)s presidencial candidate Manuel Zelayas opposition to the anti Mara Salvatrucha laws that the National Party of Honduras...

Robert Morales, a prosecutor for Guatemala, indicated to The Globe and Mail that some Central American gang members seek refugee status in Canada. Superintendent of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police integrated gang task force, John Robin, said in an interview that "I think [gang members] have a feeling that police here won't treat them in the harsh manner they get down there".^[18] Robin noted that Canadian authorities "want to avoid ending up like the U.S., which is dealing with the problem of Central American gangsters on a much bigger scale".^[18] The Globe and Mail is a Canadian English-language nationally distributed newspaper, based in Toronto and printed in six cities across the country. ... RCMP redirects here. ...

Etymology

There are various possible explanations for the name Mara Salvatrucha. Some sources state the gang is named for La Mara, a street in San Salvador, and the Salvatrucha guerrillas who fought in El Salvador's bloody civil war ^[19]. Additionally, the word mara means gang in Caliche and is taken from marabunta, the name of a fierce type of ant. "Salvatrucha" is a portmanteau of Salvadoran and trucha, a Caliche word for being alert, usually entailing preparedness for crime or abuse from police. Combatants Salvadoran Government: Salvadoran Armed Forces, National Police, Treasury Police, Death Squads Revolutionary Forces: FMLN FDR ERP RN PRTC Commanders Roberto DAubuisson Álvaro Magaña José Guillermo García José Napoleón Duarte Alfredo Cristiani Cayetano Carpio† Leonel González Schafik Handal Joaquin Villalobos Nidia Díaz Strength About... Caliche or Salvadoreño is a collection of slang words unique to Salvadoran Spanish. ... A portmanteau (IPA: ) is a word or morpheme that fuses two or more words or word parts to give a combined or loaded meaning. ...

Gang markings and hand signs

An MS suspect bearing gang tattoos is handcuffed. In 2004, the FBI created the MS-13 National Gang Task Force. A year later, the FBI helped create National Gang Intelligence Center.

Many Mara Salvatrucha members cover themselves in tattoos. Common markings include "MS", "Salvatrucha" the "Devil Horns" the name of their clique and other symbols.^[20] A December 2007 CNN internet news article stated that the gang was moving away from the tattoos in an attempt to commit crimes without being noticed. ^[21] Image File history File links Marasalvatrucha13arrest. ... Image File history File links Marasalvatrucha13arrest. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a federal criminal investigative, intelligence agency, and the primary investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). ... -1...

Members of Mara Salvatrucha, like members of most modern American gangs, utilize a system of hand signs for purposes of identification and communication. One of the most commonly displayed is the "devil's head" (formed by extending the index and little fingers of the hand while tucking in the middle and ring fingers with the thumb), which forms an M when displayed upside down. This hand sign is similar to the same symbol commonly seen displayed by heavy metal musicians and their fans. Founders of Mara Salvatrucha borrowed the hand sign after attending concerts of Black Sabbath and other heavy metal bands they liked.^[22] The Corna The corna (Italian for horns, also mano cornuta, horned hand fare le corna, to make the horns, or simply the devil horns) is a hand gesture with a vulgar meaning in Mediterranean countries and a variety of meanings and uses in other cultures. ... Heavy metal redirects here. ... For other uses, see Black Sabbath (disambiguation). ...

See also

• List of California street gangs
• Gangs in the United States

This is a list of street gangs operating or formerly operating in California. ... // When one conjures up an image of street gangs in the U.S. it is usually influenced by media portrayals of gun-toting youths engaged in disputes over territory and disrespect. ...

References

Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 338th day of the year (339th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 339th day of the year (340th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... This article is about the day. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 136th day of the year (137th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 7th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Globe and Mail is a Canadian English-language nationally distributed newspaper, based in Toronto and printed in six cities across the country. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 7th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 5th October (Serbia). ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• MS-13 Current News and Analysis
• "18 with a Bullet" Wide Angle PBS
• "How the Street Gangs Took Central America" May/June 2005 Foreign Affairs
• "For Salvadoran gangs, jail is a revolving door" March 1, 2005 The Christian Science Monitor
• "Gangs, Terrorists, and Trade" April 12, 2007 in Foreign Policy In Focus
• "World's Most Dangerous Gang", National Geographic Television production on Google Video
• [4] National Geographic post-investigation essay.
• Spotlight on MS-13 gang, New York Times, 19 August 2007
• [5] FBI Press release, 24 June 2008