March 6, 2020
MS-13
street gangs
Juan Asfura
I live in Honduras and El Salvador is right next door, and MS-13 is also very well known across Honduras after being one of the two biggest and most dangerous gangs in Honduras alongside the Mara 18 or Barrio 18. These two gangs are the ones which run most of the crimes around the country and also are in control of most of the neighborhoods and “Barrios” around the country. It is interesting how this gang migrated all the way from Central America to Los Angeles. This was a really interesting topic and especially the title caught my attention really fast.
21/03/2021
7:32 am
Martha Z Lopez
Hi this article has opened up my eyes and has left me speechless. I am a Mexican American “Chicana” and fell in love with an illegal from El Salvador here in the United States. After all the articles Ive seen on gangs and their economic welfare I am now more confused about where our relationship may lead. He’s very affectionate, patient and has a great personality he’s also spiritual which keeps me hopeful. I don’t know what to do. I was posting our flags together and now that I have read up on his country I realize that may not be a very good idea due to immature racist people.
12/02/2022
7:32 am
Vivian Urrutia
The origins of the MS-13 gang are a perfect and clear example of what an excessive passion can create, in this case, a soccer match led to a chain of crimes and violence. In my country, Honduras, this gang is very well known and has the most members over the gang after El Salvador. These gangs are filled With young children and kids trying to find a family and/or some kind of special bond with someone. the gangs want to offer you protection for every member all the gang warning you to believe that they have your back. It is unfortunate the factors that have raised the violence of the MS-13 because most of it is society itself.
06/04/2021
7:32 am
Edward Cerna
This is such an amazing article because it covers such a large and dangerous gang. Although I had known of the MS-13 gang, I had not known that it started over a soccer game. I find it kind of interesting that something that is supposed to bring people together such as sports created such a dangerous gang. This article gave great insight on the MS-13 gang and the author did a great job on the flow of the article because it kept me engaged until the very end.
02/05/2021
7:32 am
Elliot Avigael
MS-13 is a terrifying gang. Their barbarous attitude and methods of murder is almost something we would expect to see out of the Dark Ages, yet it is happening across both North and Latin America in real time. I was aware of MS-13’s existence prior to reading but I never understood the history behind their origins. Their story is definitely a tragic one.
29/08/2021
7:32 am
Daniel Gimena
Good to read about an important topic (unfortunately) that we often tend to “oversee” and act like it doesn’t exist. It is good to know about the MS-13, the classic type of gang that works in the USA but controls a big part of central and south America, where life many times means not too much. It is incredible how these type of organizations grow at such an amazing speed. Organizations which power and influence get far beyond drug or weapon market. Although it might be better to not think constantly about these gangs and how close they live to us, it is really important to know that they are there and that it is we humans who have created them.
29/01/2022
7:32 am
Claire Saldana
I find the gangs and drug cartels very interesting. I think many people don’t see how smart these gangs are. I love to watch Narcos for this reason. Of course their actions are not something I commend. I do think the way they are able to build their organizations, make money, battle against other gangs and governments is very tactical and strategic. This is why it will almost impossible to end the war on drugs. These men have too much of a connection to each other and their homelands. I also wanted to point out another uncommon idea of racism from Hispanics to other Hispanics. Mexicans don’t stand in solidarity with the Salvadorans even though they probably share a lot of similar tragedy and oppression.
27/02/2022
7:32 am
Eliza Merrion
This article was a very good read. I have heard of gangs like the “bloods” and “crips,” but I have actually never heard of MS-13 before. Reading about the gang and their story was extremely fascinating. It was also shocking to hear about all the crime that ran through California, it was a lot more than I ever anticipated. The images you choose also really helped to support the main idea of your article. It was interesting to see all the gang members that were “in custody.”
06/03/2022
7:32 am
Shecid Sanchez
I just want to say congratulations on writing this amazing piece! I never heard about MS-13 before. Reading about how this gang was created and what lead up to all this violence is crazy. The fact that Mexican Americans were messing with the Salvadorians just because of where they’re from led to one of the most massive gangs.
29/10/2022
7:32 am
Joshua S Marroquin
This was a very interesting article about gangs and drug cartels, I was amazed how many new things I learned about this topic, which at first didn’t seem that interesting but it surpassed my expectations. I didn’t understand how complex an organization can get; it is crazy to learn that some gangs can get so big that they can even run a city. Knowing this, I know understand why police officers can’t do much when two big gangs go against each other,
06/11/2022
7:32 am
Mohammed Hani Shaik
Amazing article with very well detailed research! I find it unfortunate that violence against them has caused them to turn to violence instead of peace. They resorted to fire as means to fight fire and this only turns out to become a cycle. It is only a matter of time before another minority gets violated and feels the need for revenge and will be the reason for the creation of another gang.
20/03/2021
7:32 am