Faces of MS-13

The Mara Salvatrucha gang, the transnational gang known more colloquially as MS-13, is involved in criminal activities in most parts of Latin America, as well as the United States. The gang originated in Los Angeles and spread from there, and now has a large presence in Fairfax and Prince George’s counties.

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Sept. 7, 2006

A member of the Mara Salvatrucha gang, known more colloquially as MS-13, is presented to the press in San Salvador after his arrest. Some 130 gang members suspected of committing homicides were arrested during a police operation in different departments of the country.

Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images

July 19, 2011

A hooded man stands guard in the entrance of the Castanas neighborhood, on the southern outskirts of Guatemala City, to prevent an MS-13 attack. The residents of Castanas have been threatened and extorted by members of MS-13, and as a way to defend themselves, they decided to organize their own armed gang.

Johan Ordonez / AFP/Getty Images

July 19, 2011

A hooded man holding a gun stands guard in the entrance of the Castanas neighborhood on the outskirts of Guatemala City to prevent an MS-13 attack.

Johan Ordonez / AFP/Getty Images

Feb 8, 2011

Alleged members and collaborators of MS-13 are presented to the press after being arrested in a raid and accused of extortion in San Salvador. El Salvador is one of the most violent countries in Latin America, with more than 4,000 murders in 2010, many related to organized crime.

Jose Cabezas / AFP/Getty Images

Feb. 2, 2011

Two locals walk by the scene where two workers were killed by alleged members of MS-13 in the Distrito Italia neighborhood in the town of Tonacatepeque, El Salvador. Two men were killed and two more were wounded as they were delivering water.

Jose Cabezas / AFP/Getty Images

March 3, 2010

Alleged members of MS-13 participate in a march on the streets of San Salvador. Relatives and members of the Mara Salvatrucha gang marched to demand better conditions in jails and a stop to police abuse in their neighborhoods.

Jose Cabezas / AFP/Getty Images

March 26, 2007

Members of MS-13 are restrained after a prison riot in the maximum security jail "El Infiernito," which translates to little hell, just south of Guatemala City. At least three inmates were killed and seven wounded during a clash between members of Mara Salvatrucha and other inmates.

/ AFP/Getty Images

Feb. 1, 2006

Two members of MS-13 display their tattoos. Members of the gang are known for having tattoos cover their body and face in order to distinguish themselves in the gang.

Elmer Martinez / AFP/Getty Images

Sept. 7, 2006

A member of MS-13 flashes the sign of his gang as he is presented to the press in San Salvador. Along with covering themselves in tattoos, members of the gang have their own sign language.

Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images

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