MS-13

Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13, is a large international criminal gang. It originated in the Los Angeles area of California during the 1980s.

Originally, Salvadoran immigrants formed the group for protection. They wanted to defend themselves from other gangs in Los Angeles. Over time, the group transformed into a traditional criminal organization. It now operates across the continental United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America. The gang's history is closely tied to the relationship between the United States and El Salvador.

The name of the gang has several possible origins. Some believe it refers to La Mara, a street in San Salvador. Others link it to the Salvatrucha guerrillas from the Salvadoran Civil War. The word "mara" may come from Caliche slang for a "swarm," like a group of ants. The term "Salvatrucha" might combine "Salvadoran" with "trucha," a slang word for being alert. The number "13" is thought to represent the letter M, which is the thirteenth letter of the alphabet.

It may also pay homage to the Mexican Mafia prison gang.

MS-13 is organized into smaller, loosely affiliated groups called cliques. In the United States, these cliques are often independent and react to local situations. For example, the gang has many cliques in Los Angeles and New York. However, the gang is more centralized in El Salvador. In 2002, high-ranking members established the Ranfla Nacional. This group acts as a "command and control structure" or a board of directors.

This structure directs violent acts and murders in both El Salvador and the United States.

Recruitment into the gang often targets vulnerable young people. Many members are Salvadoran Americans, but the gang also includes people from Honduras and Guatemala. Many members arrive in the United States as unaccompanied minors. These are children traveling without parents. Some school districts have struggled to admit these teenagers, leaving them vulnerable to recruitment. In El Salvador, children may be recruited while walking to school or work. Incarcerated youth are also often pressured to join during their time in prison.

The gang is known for extreme violence and a specific subculture. They often use machetes, which are large knives, as their primary weapon. This differs from many other gangs that prefer using guns.

Members use hand signs to communicate, such as the "devil horns" gesture. Tattoos are also common, featuring names like "MS" or "Salvatrucha." By 2007, many members moved away from facial tattoos to avoid being noticed by police. They sometimes live in abandoned urban buildings known as "destroyers" to hold meetings or drug deals.

MS-13 has a massive global presence with significant numbers. In 2009, estimates suggested there were 30,000 to 50,000 members worldwide. By 2018, the gang had up to 10,000 members in the United States. This accounted for less than 1% of all gang members in the country. In El Salvador, the gang is very large. By 2020, MS-13 and the rival 18th Street gang together employed about 60,000 people. This made them the largest employers in El Salvador. In 2023, Salvadoran police databases recorded over 120,000 gang members and collaborators.

Governments have taken strong legal actions to combat the gang's influence. In El Salvador, the Supreme Court authorized classifying gangs as terrorist organizations. In the United States, the FBI and ICE conduct wide-scale raids to arrest members. On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order regarding transnational gangs. This order began the process of designating MS-13 as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The designation was officially enacted on February 20, 2025. This change marks a significant shift in how the United States treats the group legally.