MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, is an international criminal gang that originated in Los Angeles, California, in the 1980s. It was initially formed by Salvadoran immigrants who fled the civil war in El Salvador and sought protection from other established gangs in Los Angeles. Over time, MS-13 evolved into a highly organized and violent criminal organization

. The gang's name comes from "Mara," a term for gang in El Salvador, and "Salvatrucha," slang for street-smart Salvadorans. The "13" represents the letter M's position in the alphabet and also signifies allegiance to the Mexican Mafia, a powerful prison gang

. MS-13 is known for extreme violence, including murder, rape, assault, and intimidation. It is involved in a wide range of criminal activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, weapons trafficking, extortion, robbery, and auto theft. The gang operates transnationally, with a presence in the United States, Central America (notably El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras), Mexico, Canada, and Spain

. The gang's structure is well-organized, with leaders often coordinating activities from prisons in El Salvador and maintaining control over local cliques in the U.S. through communication networks. MS-13 uses fear and intimidation to extort businesses and control territories

. Efforts to combat MS-13 include law enforcement task forces, deportation of members, and international cooperation. However, deportations have sometimes contributed to the gang's spread internationally, as deported members reestablish operations in Central America

. In 2025, the U.S. government designated MS-13 as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, reflecting its status as a significant threat due to its violent and criminal activities

. In summary, MS-13 is a violent, transnational gang rooted in Salvadoran immigrant communities, notorious for brutal crimes and extensive criminal enterprises across multiple countries