Mara Salvatrucha, better known as MS13, is one of the biggest gangs in the world with more than 70.000 members. Originating in Los Angeles (the gang was originally formed to protect immigrants from other gangs), MS13 grew very quickly and its members are considered to be extremely dangerous. Its growth in Mexico was quick as well and there are many towns in which the gang controls a lot of parts of daily life. Small enterpreneurs have to pay protection money and there are a lot of gang wars going on.
MS13 is an important part of Sin Nombre, a movie which was written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. Continue reading →