The History and Evolution of MS-13 and Mara 18

The Maras: Mara Salvatrucha emerged as new Latino gangs in the early 1980s, primarily formed by Salvadoran immigrants reaching Los Angeles while fleeing bloody internal wars in El Salvador. Among these groups were young people associated with the Mara Salvatrucha (also known as MS-13) and the 18th Street gang (Mara 18).

Origins and Etymology of the Maras

The word "mara" is derived from "marabunta," an allusion to how swarming ants expand. Another explanation is that the word is synonymous with "gang" or "group of friends." Meanwhile, "Salvatrucha" refers to El Salvador, and "trucha" is a slang expression meaning "clever" or "smart," often used in the context of evading the police. Its members are commonly known as gang members.

Diversity and Transnational Expansion

Over time, other Latino communities joined these gangs, including:

• Nicaraguans
• Guatemalans
• Hondurans
• Ecuadorians
• Mexicans
• Peruvians

The U.S. government's reaction was to imprison and repatriate members of these organizations. The deportation of these criminals back to their home countries allowed the gangs to organize within those nations, replicating the California gang model. This created a transnational criminal organization based in the USA with operational bases across Central America. At the border between Mexico and Guatemala alone, there are reportedly more than 200 gangs with approximately 3,000 members.

Socio-Political Roots of Violence

Beyond poverty, these gangs are products of the Central American civil wars. Many youths were raised in a culture of violence and the "law of the strongest," often exacerbated by the actions of security forces like the police and military. This environment fostered a negative perception of the state and security forces.

The Rise of Rivalries and Legal Crackdowns

In the mid-80s, a second wave of Salvadoran refugees founded rival groups, including fragments of the original gangs. Soon, MS-13 and Mara 18 began fighting in the streets of Los Angeles and were involved in the violence surrounding the 1992 Rodney King riots. In response, the state of California developed new anti-gang laws, treating youth members as adult offenders and sending hundreds to jail.

U.S. Immigration Policy and Deportation

In 1996, an Act of the U.S. Congress ordered the deportation of any non-citizen (including newly naturalized citizens or legal residents) sentenced to one year or more in prison. Between 1998 and 2005, the United States deported nearly 46,000 Central Americans who had served sentences, along with an additional 160,000 undocumented immigrants.