The Orgin of MS-13

MS-13 was organized during the 1980s in Los Angeles by Salvadorans. Having grown up with violence, members fled their country's civil war.

When they arrived in Los Angeles, Mexican gangs preyed on them. The response was to band together in a mara, or "posse," composed of salvatruchas, or "street-tough Salvadorans" (the "13" is a gang number associated with southern California).

Once confined to the inner city, MS-13's reach now extends across 42 states. The gang also now contaminates the most unexpected turf: suburban communities unaccustomed to deal with MS-13's ruthless brand of violence. Experts say there are currently 3,000 members in Northern Virginia.



Membership has risen to 60,000 between the U.S. and Central America. It's criminal activities have expanded to include drug smuggling and sales, black market gun sales, human trafficking, assassinations for hire and assaults on law enforcement. Experts say most of their crimes are done on a whim.

MS-13's notoriety exploded in recent years, fanned by bone-chilling reports of its machete attacks, beheadings and the fatal stabbing of a pregnant teenager after it was discovered she was a federal informer.