Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13, is an international criminal gang that originated in Los Angeles, California, in the 1980s. It was initially formed by Salvadoran immigrants to protect themselves from other established gangs in the area but evolved into a violent criminal organization involved in various illegal activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, weapons trafficking, murder, rape, assault, kidnapping, extortion, and robbery

. MS-13's membership primarily consists of Salvadorans and Salvadoran Americans, but also includes Hondurans, Guatemalans, Mexicans, and other Central and South Americans. The gang spread from Los Angeles to El Salvador and other parts of Central America, as well as to the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Spain, partly due to deportations of gang members after the Salvadoran Civil War

. The gang is notorious for its extreme violence and brutal enforcement of a subcultural moral code based on merciless retribution. Initiation rituals include violent beatings, and some factions require prospective members to commit murder. MS-13 targets rival gangs, their associates, and even entire families, and is involved in femicide and infanticide, particularly in El Salvador, where legal impunity is a significant problem

. MS-13 is considered a transnational criminal organization with a history closely tied to U.S.-El Salvador relations. In 2025, the U.S. government designated MS-13 as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, reflecting its threat level and involvement in organized crime and violence

. In summary, MS-13 is a highly violent, transnational gang with roots in Salvadoran immigrant communities, engaged in a wide range of criminal enterprises and known for its brutal tactics and extensive international reach