With the influx of immigrants from El Salvador in the the early 1980's Los Angeles, Ca. became a breeding ground for what would later become known as MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) "The World's Most Dangerous Gang." Leaving behind a country in chaos and in the midst of a civil war El Salvadorians came to the United States searching for a better way of life. Many settled into the varrios of Los Angeles. Varrios that were dominated by Chicano Sureno street gangs. As a way of protecting themselves from such a hostile environment the MS-13 gang was born.
Derived from the slang word Marabunta (meaning deadly army ant) and Trucha the slang word for being alert the MS-13 gang soon took to the streets. As the El Salvadorian population grew so did it's membership into the gang and as time passed gang members became involved in more serious crimes including murder. Being sent to prison only taught them more skills and techniques used by other more sophisticated prison gangs like the Mexican Mafia and the Nuestra Familia. With gang members being deported after serving time it allowed the gang to spread into Central and South America and flourish. With over an estimated 100,000 members world wide MS-13 has lived up to it's name.
Rivals: 18th Street Gang, MS-18 Gang, La Nuestra Familia, Norteno Street Gangs.
Symbols/Insignias:
1. The letters MS 2. The number 13 3. The rock on sign 4. The color blue
