What is MS13 Gang?: The Most Feared Crime Syndicate in the World

Understanding What is MS13 Gang, One of the world’s most notorious and violent criminal groups is the MS-13 gang, also known as Mara Salvatrucha. The gang, which was first founded by Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles in the 1980s, has spread throughout the United States, Central America, and other countries, and has become a significant player in organized crime. MS-13 gang members, who are notorious for their violent methods, display their allegiance and status within the organization by wearing unique tattoos and insignia.

The history, leadership, tattoos, and illegal activities of MS-13, as well as the gang’s impact on local communities and efforts by law enforcement, will be covered in this article.

History and Origins of MS13

In the 1980s, Salvadoran refugees escaping the civil war in El Salvador founded the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang in Los Angeles, California. To protect Salvadoran immigrants from other gangs in Los Angeles, MS-13 was first founded as a small street gang. But as time went on, it evolved into a dangerous and well-organized multinational criminal network.

The US government crackdown on gang activities in the 1990s resulted in many MS-13 members being deported back to El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. These deported criminals did not disperse; rather, they made MS-13 even more ruthless and powerful in Central America.

MS13 gang structure and leadership

Unlike traditional mafia groups, MS-13 is not led by a single individual. Rather, the gang operates through a loosely organized network of several “factions” spread across Latin America and the United States.

Among the most prominent commanders of the MS-13 gang are:

• High-ranking official José Balmor Romero was detained in 2021.
• Elíad Pineda Hernández was a major player in MS-13’s illegal activities.
• One of the main masterminds of extortion and violence was Ernesto “Chepe” Deras.

Local crimes such as drug trafficking, murder, human trafficking, and extortion are the responsibility of each gang.

Meaning of MS13 Gang Tattoo

The intricate tattoos of MS-13 gang members are among their most recognizable features. These tattoos reflect the gang’s hierarchy and allegiance. Typical MS-13 gang tattoos include the following:

• Wearing MS-13 on the face, neck or chest signifies unwavering loyalty to the gang.
• The gang lifestyle is represented by the three dots (“Mi Vida Loca”).
• Devil’s Horns: signifies loyalty to violent gang activities.
• A member who has a teardrop tattoo has committed a murder.

To make it more difficult for law enforcement to identify them, many MS-13 members have begun to avoid getting tattoos in recent years.

What are MS13 Criminal Activities?

Extreme brutality and engagement in numerous illegal activities have made MS-13 notorious, including:

• Working with the cartel to move drugs across the border is known as drug trafficking.
• Smuggling individuals into the United States and forcing them into prostitution or slavery is known as human trafficking.
• Murder and extortion: Oppressing communities with severe brutality.
• Weapons trafficking: Illegal movement of firearms throughout Central America and the United States.

Due to its designation as a transnational criminal organization by the U.S. government, MS-13 is a major target for investigations by the FBI and Homeland Security.

Law enforcement to combating MS13

The governments of the United States and Central America have taken significant action against MS-13 in the past few years. These initiatives include:

• ICE led Operation Raging Bull in 2017, which resulted in the arrest of over 200 MS-13 members in the United States.
• The FBI’s MS-13 National Gang Task Force is a specialized group tasked with monitoring and disrupting MS-13 activities.
• El Salvador and Honduras have anti-gang legislation that imposes harsh penalties for gang-related crimes.

MS-13 is one of the world’s most tenacious criminal organizations, as it continues to evolve and grow despite these efforts.

Remarks: Can MS13 be stopped?

Despite the constant crackdowns by governments, it is difficult to completely eradicate MS-13 due to its decentralized structure. The best way to deal with MS-13 is through strong law enforcement, international cooperation, and community programs that prevent youth from joining gangs.

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The FBI arrested one of the top three leaders of the MS-13 gang in Virginia, marking a significant blow to the organization

Now send them to El Salvador prison https://t.co/m2LP7PKTdy pic.twitter.com/ij4smvqES3

— 🌸 DigiGal (@DigitalGal_) March 27, 2025