Background on the Mara Salvatrucha and Relevant Figures
The Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) is a transnational criminal gang originating in Los Angeles, California. The gang has since spread throughout Central America and is known for its extreme violence and criminal activities. The gang’s name, MS-13, reflects its Salvadoran roots and the 13 th street in Los Angeles where many of its original members came from.
Nayib Bukele, the current President of El Salvador, initiated a “war” against gangs in 2018. This campaign was supported by a regime of exception approved in 2022, which allows for arrests without judicial warrants. This move has been criticized by human rights groups for potentially violating due process and civil liberties.
The Deportation of Two MS-13 Members
Guatemalan authorities recently handed over two “highly dangerous” MS-13 members to El Salvador, who had been deported from Mexico, according to a statement by the Guatemalan police on Friday.
- The deportation took place on Thursday night at a border crossing, shortly after the individuals were “expelled” by Mexican authorities.
- One of the gang members, Nelson Ramos, 45, also known as “Mamachana,” was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2003 for charges including murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and aggravated robbery.
- The other gang member, Henry Aguilar, 26, known as “White,” is wanted in his home country for the crime of “illegal associations.”
Impact and Context of the Gang War in El Salvador
Under Bukele’s regime of exception, over 89,000 individuals suspected of being gang members or collaborators with the MS-13 and Barrio 18 (both designated as “terrorist” groups by the United States) have been detained.
While Bukele’s anti-gang campaign has led to historically low homicide rates, human rights organizations have raised concerns about the potential wrongful imprisonment of thousands of innocent people.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)? The MS-13 is a transnational criminal gang originating in Los Angeles, known for extreme violence and criminal activities across Central America.
- What is the regime of exception in El Salvador? The regime of exception is a legal framework approved in 2022 that allows for arrests without judicial warrants, as part of President Nayib Bukele’s campaign against gangs.
- Why have human rights groups criticized this campaign? Human rights organizations are concerned about potential violations of due process and civil liberties, as well as the risk of wrongfully imprisoning innocent people.
- What is the current status of gang violence in El Salvador? Although Bukele’s anti-gang campaign has reduced homicide rates, there are ongoing concerns about mass detentions and the potential for wrongful imprisonment.
