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Where did the Mara Salvatrucha gang come from?

The Mara Salvatrucha gang originated in Los Angeles, set up in the 1980s by Salvadoran immigrants in the city’s Pico-Union neighborhood who immigrated to the United States after the Central American civil wars of the 1980s.

What are the hand signs of Mara Salvatrucha?

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 ” which forms an ‘M’ when displayed upside down.

Why do Mara Salvatrucha members have face tattoos?

Many Mara Salvatrucha members cover themselves in tattoos, including the face. Common markings include “MS”, “Salvatrucha”, the “Devil Horns”, and the name of their clique. By 2007, the gang was moving away from face tattoos to make it easier to commit crimes without being noticed.

Where does the term ” Salvatrucha ” come from?

“Salvatrucha” may be a combination of the words Salvadoran and trucha, a Caliche word for being alert. The term “Salvatruchas” has been explained as a reference to Salvadorian peasants trained to become guerrilla fighters, referred to as the ” Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front .”

Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), international gang involved in drug and human smuggling, prostitution, murder, and extortion, among other illegal activities. It was founded in Los Angeles in the 1980s by immigrants from El Salvador and later spread throughout the United States, Central America, and Canada, gaining a reputation for extreme violence.

How many members does the Mara Salvatrucha have?

According to FBI statistics, Mara Salvatrucha had between 6,000 and 10,000 members in the United States in the early 21st century. Reports gave upwards of 50,000 in Central America. Although most members come from Hispanic cultures, MS-13 includes African Americans as well.

Why was Mara Salvatrucha known as MS-13?

In order to strengthen its position, in the early 1990s it formed an alliance with the Mexican Mafia, a powerful gang also based in Los Angeles. During this time, Mara Salvatrucha became known as MS-13, reportedly because M was the 13th letter of the alphabet.