El Salvador’s judicial system on March 29 dealt a heavy blow to the infamous street gang Mara Salvatrucha, a.k.a. For its part, the government prosecuted 248 of its members, sending them to long stints in prison. These sentences come in response to a string of violent crimes, including 43 homicides and 42 kidnappings. They draw attention to the gang’s long-standing legacy of violence and reign of terror in the area.
Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, is infamous for its violent crimes. The United States Government has now officially designated it a foreign terrorist organization. The group has developed a long-standing reputation for scope of extortion and murder. Official government compensation claims in El Salvador admit that they are directly responsible for at least 200,000 murdered civilians in the last three decades. During its height, MS-13 held power over about 80% of the country, instilling widespread fear and intimidation.
The recent legal actions reflect the government’s ongoing efforts to combat gang violence and restore safety in communities plagued by MS-13’s influence. As the attorney general’s office explained at the time, gang members made violent threats against victims.
“Victims who owned businesses were demanding different amounts of money in exchange for not harming them,” – attorney general’s office.
The chilling effect from these threats has made it impossible for some business owners to continue doing business, causing them to close their doors completely.
“Some people had to close their businesses out of fear of the threats,” – attorney general’s office.
Local legal authorities consider the sentences handed down to these gang members as leading cases. In doing so, this decision makes a clear and bold statement against organized crime. The Salvadoran government is eager to partner with global allies, including the United States. Collectively, they address the systemic issues that gang violence is often a byproduct of.
Despite these recent developments, challenges remain. This reality is even more complicated by the presence of other gangs, like Barrio 18, which raises the stakes for security in El Salvador. Both contributed mightily to the rampant violence that has afflicted our nation for far too long.