| − | '''Mara Salvatrucha''', also known as '''MS-13''', is a street [[gang]] that originated in [[El Salvador]] and is now an internationally spread gang. According to private assessments of [[Los Angeles]] police officers, MS 13 has up to 50,000 members worldwide of whom at least 10,000 are in the Los Angelas area.<ref>https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2021/02/24/california-collapsing/</ref> It has a large presence in several other states of the [[United States of America|United States]], including [[Texas]] and [[New York]] and as well as throughout [[Central America]].<ref>O'Reilly, Andrew (October 24, 2017) [https://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/24/ms-13-spreading-across-us-as-ag-sessions-vows-to-take-down-gang.html MS-13 spreading across US as AG Sessions vows to take down gang]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved October 24, 2017.</ref> It is the fastest-growing gang in the world, along with its rival, the 18th Street gang. Members are easily recognizable by their elaborate Gothic-style [[tattoo]]s. | + | '''Mara Salvatrucha''', also known as '''MS-13''', is a street [[gang]] that originated in [[El Salvador]] and is now an internationally spread gang. According to private assessments of [[Los Angeles]] police officers, MS-13 has up to 50,000 members worldwide of whom at least 10,000 are in the Los Angelas area.<ref>https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2021/02/24/california-collapsing/</ref> It has a large presence in several other states of the [[United States of America|United States]], including [[Texas]] and [[New York]] and as well as throughout [[Central America]].<ref>O'Reilly, Andrew (October 24, 2017) [https://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/24/ms-13-spreading-across-us-as-ag-sessions-vows-to-take-down-gang.html MS-13 spreading across US as AG Sessions vows to take down gang]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved October 24, 2017.</ref> It is the fastest-growing gang in the world, along with its rival, the 18th Street gang. Members are easily recognizable by their elaborate Gothic-style [[tattoo]]s. |
| − | MS-13 originated during the Salvadorian civil war of the 1980s, and their motto is "mata, viola, controla", which translates to rape, kill, and control.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-buzz/post/ms-13-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-mara-salvatrucha-street-gang/2011/11/14/gIQAqituKN_blog.html MS-13: What you need to know about the Mara Salvatrucha street gang]</ref> | + | MS-13 originated during the Salvadorian civil war of the 1980s, and their motto is "mata, viola, controla", which translates to "rape, kill, control".<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-buzz/post/ms-13-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-mara-salvatrucha-street-gang/2011/11/14/gIQAqituKN_blog.html MS-13: What you need to know about the Mara Salvatrucha street gang]</ref> |
| | Despite their extreme brutality,<ref>Binder, John (May 17, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/17/11-animalistic-crimes-committed-against-americans-by-ms-13-gang/ 11 Animalistic Crimes Committed Against Americans by MS-13 Gang]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 17, 2018.</ref> MS-13 gang members strongly fear La Sombra Negra, a paramilitary organization that exists to wipe out gangs like MS-13 and uses extreme torture methods on the gang members.<ref>O'Reilly, Andrew (August 2, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/08/02/ms-13-doesnt-feartrump-rival-gangs-or-police-but-are-terrified-la-sombra-negra.html MS-13 doesn't fear Trump, rival gangs or the police - but they are terrified of La Sombra Negra]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 2, 2017.</ref> | | Despite their extreme brutality,<ref>Binder, John (May 17, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/17/11-animalistic-crimes-committed-against-americans-by-ms-13-gang/ 11 Animalistic Crimes Committed Against Americans by MS-13 Gang]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 17, 2018.</ref> MS-13 gang members strongly fear La Sombra Negra, a paramilitary organization that exists to wipe out gangs like MS-13 and uses extreme torture methods on the gang members.<ref>O'Reilly, Andrew (August 2, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/08/02/ms-13-doesnt-feartrump-rival-gangs-or-police-but-are-terrified-la-sombra-negra.html MS-13 doesn't fear Trump, rival gangs or the police - but they are terrified of La Sombra Negra]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 2, 2017.</ref> |