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'''Mara 18''' (also known as '''M-18''' or '''MS-18''') is a primarily-Latino criminal organization, with members largely from [[El Salvador]], [[Guatemala]], and [[Honduras]]<ref name="IPS">{{cite web|url = http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41779| title = EL SALVADOR: Gangs Recruiting Younger and Younger Members |publisher = IPS News|accessdate = 2008-03-38}}</ref>. |
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{{Infobox Criminal Organization |
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| name = 18th street/Barrio 18 |
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| image =18th street tagging.jpg |
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| caption =Taggings of 18th street gang. |
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| founded =1959 |
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| years active =1960 - present |
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| territory = mostly in Los Angeles,the Western and Southern areas of the United States and some in the eastern (barrio 18),and Central America |
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| ethnic makeup =manly [[Hispanic]] |
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| membership est = 100,000+ |
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| criminal activities =[[Illegal drug trade|Drug trafficking]], [[robbery]], [[extortion]], gun traficking, [[murder]], [[contract killing]], etc. |
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| allies = none |
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| rivals = Every gang |
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}} |
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'''Mara 18''', '''M-18''','''Barrio 18''','''pandia 18''' or '''Diesiocho'''(in the U.S.A. they are known as the [[18th Street gang]]) is a grouping of young gang members, the majority of whom are from [[El Salvador]], [[Guatemala]] and [[Honduras]]. |
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==History== |
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[[Image:M18.jpg|frame|right|young Gang Member Associated with M-18]] |
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La Mara 18 was created in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[California]]. During the 1980's, there was a mass exodus of Salvadorans that feld the conditions following the [[Salvadoran Civil War|El Salvadoran Civil War]]<ref name="IPS">{{cite web|url = http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41779| title = EL SALVADOR: Gangs Recruiting Younger and Younger Members |publisher = IPS News|accessdate = 2008-03-38}}</ref>. Many of the Salvadorans who traveled to California were the target of existing gangs who preyed on [[immigrants]]. The [[18th Street gang]] had existed since the 1960's, some Salvadoran immigrants joined the organization which was known to accept Hispanic immigrants that were excluded from Mexican gangs<ref name="Boston">{{cite web|url = http://www.boston.com/news/world/latinamerica/articles/2006/04/17/gangs_roil_central_america/| title = Gangs roil Central America |publisher = Boston Globe|accessdate = 2006-04-17}}</ref>. |
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[[Image:462947_08485e930c.jpg|frame|right|taggings of M-18]] |
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== |
==Membership== |
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To become a member of MS-18, typical [[initiation]] involved being "jumped in" and beaten by gang members for 18 seconds<ref name="IPS">{{cite web|url = http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41779| title = EL SALVADOR: Gangs Recruiting Younger and Younger Members |publisher = IPS News|accessdate = 2008-03-38}}</ref>. Many factions of the gang have since done away with the initiation<ref name="IPS">{{cite web|url = http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41779| title = EL SALVADOR: Gangs Recruiting Younger and Younger Members |publisher = IPS News|accessdate = 2008-03-38}}</ref>. |
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M-18, like their rivals [[Mara Salvatrucha]], they also started in [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]]. Fleeing from the conditions created by the bloody [[Salvadoran_Civil_War|civil war]] in El Salvador during the 1980s, people migrated north. The new Salvadorian [[immigrants]] who arrived in [[California]] felt isolated and were targeted by gangs. Some Salvadorian immigrants joined the [[18th_Street_gang|Mexican 18th street gang]], as it was already established. Salvadorians who committed crimes were deported to their home country, which then gave birth to M-18 a subset of the [[18th Street gang]] from Los Angeles. |
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Members of the gang were considered to be permanent participants until death, with the exception of becoming a "calmado" or "calmada", a reference to people who are still considered members but have [[retired]] from gang activities<ref name="IPS">{{cite web|url = http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41779| title = EL SALVADOR: Gangs Recruiting Younger and Younger Members |publisher = IPS News|accessdate = 2008-03-38}}</ref>. |
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==Geography== |
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The typical age of new members to the gang in El Salvador is 12 years old, with some [[recruits]] as young as nine<ref name="IPS">{{cite web|url = http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41779| title = EL SALVADOR: Gangs Recruiting Younger and Younger Members |publisher = IPS News|accessdate = 2008-03-38}}</ref>. The recruiting age has lowered over time to replace older members who have become incarcerated, and to circumvent harsh legal penalties which apply to non-minors. Under El Salvador's post-Civil War legal system, minors cannot be tried for crimes even as serious as [[murder]], and may only be sent to [[juvenile detention]] facilities for rehabilitation<ref name="IPS">{{cite web|url = http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41779| title = EL SALVADOR: Gangs Recruiting Younger and Younger Members |publisher = IPS News|accessdate = 2008-03-38}}</ref>. |
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==Territory== |
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M-18 developed the same criminal actions as [[MS-13]]. This violence incited the responsiveness of the authorities and [[immigration]] in the U.S.A., which chose to jail their members and deport them to their countries of origin. |
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==Rivalries== |
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A CNN internet news article stated the gang was moving away from tattoos because it would allow them to commit crimes without being noticed. <ref> Gang new tactics |
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The principal rivals of Mara 18 are [[Mara Salvatrucha]], a gang that consists primarily of members from El Salvador<ref name="Washington">{{cite web|url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50422-2005Mar19.html| title = El Salvador's Marked Men |publisher = Washington Post|accessdate = 2005-03-20}}</ref>. Members of Mara 18 are also involved in ongoing territorial wars in Mexico with Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13<ref name="Union Tribute">{{cite web|url = http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/20040923-1546-mexico-shootout.html| title = Gang-related gun battle kills three in southern Mexico |publisher = Union Tribune|accessdate = 2004-09-23}}</ref>. The rivalry is in part a struggle for control over railroad yards near Mexico's Southern borders, where undocumented Central Americans cross on their way to the United States. Skirmishes between the two gangs have become commonplace in the rail yard of Southern Mexico, as those areas are often used as routes by gang members that [[smuggle]] illegals into the United States<ref name="Union Tribute">{{cite web|url = http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/20040923-1546-mexico-shootout.html| title = Gang-related gun battle kills three in southern Mexico |publisher = Union Tribune|accessdate = 2004-09-23}}</ref>. |
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==Etymology==[http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/12/16/gang.makeovers.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview]</ref> |
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In 2005, attacks between MS-13 and MS-18 in multiple prisons throughout Guatemala resulted in a series of highly coordinated riots which left 31 inmates dead, and dozens more wounded<ref name="MSNBC">{{cite web|url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8964074/| title = At least 31 killed in Guatemala prison gang war |publisher = MSNBC|accessdate = 2005-08-15}}</ref>. |
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The word ''mara'' in Central America is equivalent to the Spanish term ''colla'' or ''gang/group''. |
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==Tattoos== |
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Like Mara Salvatrucha, members of MS-18 are often easily identified by their extensive [[tattooing]], which sometimes covers their entire face. Central American government officials have responded to the growing tattoo trend of gangs such as MS-13 and MS-18 by denying jobs and admission to schools to those marked with gang tattoos<ref name="Washington">{{cite web|url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50422-2005Mar19.html| title = El Salvador's Marked Men |publisher = Washington Post|accessdate = 2005-03-20}}</ref>. Some past and present members of MS-18 have had their tattoos removed to prevent being recognized as a gang member. New leaders of gangs such as MS-13 have foregone getting tattoos to avoid extra attention or [[discrimination]]<ref name="Washington">{{cite web|url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50422-2005Mar19.html| title = El Salvador's Marked Men |publisher = Washington Post|accessdate = 2005-03-20}}</ref>. |
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*Gang's New Tactics [http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/12/16/gang.makeovers.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview] |
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*[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8964074/ Ms-13 and M-18 Prison Gang War] |
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==Etymology== |
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*[http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/20040923-1546-mexico-shootout.html M-18 Gang Shootout] |
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The word ''mara'' in Central America often roughly translates as the English word for "gang."<ref name="AP">{{cite web|url = http://www.terrorismknowledgebase.net/NewsStory.jsp?storyID=84214| title = Immigrant gang suspected of al-Qaida ties |publisher = Associated Press|accessdate = 2005-09-03}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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*[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,148543,00.html El Salvador's Most Violent Gangs] |
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* [[Mara Salvatrucha]] |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Los Angeles area street gangs]] |
[[Category:Los Angeles area street gangs]] |
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[[Category:Gangs in Latin America]] |
[[Category:Gangs in Latin America]] |
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[[Category:Hispanic American gangs]] |
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[[Category:Hispanic gangs]] |
[[Category:Hispanic gangs]] |
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[[Category:Crime in Honduras]] |
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[[Category:Crime in El Salvador]] |
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[[Category:Crime in Guatemala]] |
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Revision as of 21:19, 20 May 2008
Mara 18 (also known as M-18 or MS-18) is a primarily-Latino criminal organization, with members largely from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras[1].
History
La Mara 18 was created in Los Angeles, California. During the 1980's, there was a mass exodus of Salvadorans that feld the conditions following the El Salvadoran Civil War[1]. Many of the Salvadorans who traveled to California were the target of existing gangs who preyed on immigrants. The 18th Street gang had existed since the 1960's, some Salvadoran immigrants joined the organization which was known to accept Hispanic immigrants that were excluded from Mexican gangs[2].
Membership
To become a member of MS-18, typical initiation involved being "jumped in" and beaten by gang members for 18 seconds[1]. Many factions of the gang have since done away with the initiation[1].
Members of the gang were considered to be permanent participants until death, with the exception of becoming a "calmado" or "calmada", a reference to people who are still considered members but have retired from gang activities[1].
The typical age of new members to the gang in El Salvador is 12 years old, with some recruits as young as nine[1]. The recruiting age has lowered over time to replace older members who have become incarcerated, and to circumvent harsh legal penalties which apply to non-minors. Under El Salvador's post-Civil War legal system, minors cannot be tried for crimes even as serious as murder, and may only be sent to juvenile detention facilities for rehabilitation[1].
Territory
Mara 18 has extended to many cities within El Salvador and has been incorporated in other countries within Central America, primarily Honduras and Guatemala.
Rivalries
The principal rivals of Mara 18 are Mara Salvatrucha, a gang that consists primarily of members from El Salvador[3]. Members of Mara 18 are also involved in ongoing territorial wars in Mexico with Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13[4]. The rivalry is in part a struggle for control over railroad yards near Mexico's Southern borders, where undocumented Central Americans cross on their way to the United States. Skirmishes between the two gangs have become commonplace in the rail yard of Southern Mexico, as those areas are often used as routes by gang members that smuggle illegals into the United States[4].
In 2005, attacks between MS-13 and MS-18 in multiple prisons throughout Guatemala resulted in a series of highly coordinated riots which left 31 inmates dead, and dozens more wounded[5].
Tattoos
Like Mara Salvatrucha, members of MS-18 are often easily identified by their extensive tattooing, which sometimes covers their entire face. Central American government officials have responded to the growing tattoo trend of gangs such as MS-13 and MS-18 by denying jobs and admission to schools to those marked with gang tattoos[3]. Some past and present members of MS-18 have had their tattoos removed to prevent being recognized as a gang member. New leaders of gangs such as MS-13 have foregone getting tattoos to avoid extra attention or discrimination[3].
Etymology
The word mara in Central America often roughly translates as the English word for "gang."[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "EL SALVADOR: Gangs Recruiting Younger and Younger Members". IPS News. Retrieved 2008-03-38.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Gangs roil Central America". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2006-04-17.
- ^ a b c "El Salvador's Marked Men". Washington Post. Retrieved 2005-03-20.
- ^ a b "Gang-related gun battle kills three in southern Mexico". Union Tribune. Retrieved 2004-09-23.
- ^ "At least 31 killed in Guatemala prison gang war". MSNBC. Retrieved 2005-08-15.
- ^ "Immigrant gang suspected of al-Qaida ties". Associated Press. Retrieved 2005-09-03.