MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) emerged in 1980s Los Angeles from Salvadoran Civil War refugees, led by Ernesto Deras and Jose Abrego, who spread from Pico Union to East LA; despite a 1991 LAPD crackdown that arrested top members including Deras, the gang's power structure remained intact and today spans the Americas with over 50,000 members, illustrating how street gangs can maintain organizational resilience even after leadership arrests.
Deep Dive
Prerequisite Knowledge
- No data available.
Where to go next
- No data available.
Deep Dive
MS-13: World's Most Feared Street Gang #ShortsAdded:
Saturday nights, they killed for fun.
In 1980s LA, Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, formed from Salvadoran Civil War refugees. Led by Ernesto Deras and Jose Abrego, spreading from Pico Union to East LA.
Their leader, Ernesto Deras, a ruthless strategist, orchestrated attacks on rival gangs, while presenting himself as a humble local businessman, fooling even the FBI. A 1991 LAPD crackdown, and a single cryptic phone call from an anonymous source, led to the arrest of top MS-13 members, including Deras. But the gang's power structure remained intact.
Today, MS-13's influence spans the Americas, with over 50,000 members. Can law enforcement ever fully dismantle the world's most feared street gang? Comment your thoughts.
Related Videos
DeenTheGreat Is Absolutely DISGUSTING
challzbrown
681 viewsβ’2026-05-29
Flotilla activist on 'racist' response to Ben Gvir's video of her
MiddleEastEye
13K viewsβ’2026-05-29
Why Is It ALWAYS About The Pregnant One? π
alikicomedy
9K viewsβ’2026-05-30
Choa Chu Kang Tragedy Raises Questions About Warning Signs and Relationship Violence
TwentyTwoThirty
872 viewsβ’2026-05-29
10 French Cities That Could Collapse First as the Homeless Crisis Worsens
InsideEuropeToday
359 viewsβ’2026-05-29
White People RECOUNTS How Great Black People Are Becoming So Fast Now They Can't Take It
mrsan_20
939 viewsβ’2026-05-30
Foreign-Owned Shops Targeted as Anti-Migrant Tensions Rise in South Africa
aljazeeraenglish
25K viewsβ’2026-05-30
Elections Are Rigged! Only Those In Government Can Tell How ~ Diana Ngao & Mark Ouko
RadioGenKe
696 viewsβ’2026-06-02











