Transnational gangs can be described as gangs that are located in multiple countries. When these gangs commit crimes in one country, their plans for the crime can sometimes be put together in another country. These gangs or mara are able to move around efficiently from one place to another. Transnational gangs are not a normal street gang because they are much larger in size and located in more than one country; they are considered to be able to pose a significant threat for the safety of the countries they are located in.[1]
Examples
MS-13
The Mara Salvatrucha, or the MS-13 gang are located in the United States, Canada, Mexico and El Salvador.[2] The Mara Salvatrucha gang was founded in the 1980s in Los Angeles, California.[3] The original members of the Mara Salvatrucha were refugees from El Salvador that came to the United States.[2] The Barrio 18 or the 18th Street Gang is the Mara Salvatrucha's main rivals.[4]
18th Street Gang
The 18th Street Gang, also known as the Barrio 18, are located in the United States, Canada, Central America and Mexico. The 18th Street Gang is a youth gang. The current gang was founded in the 1980s in Los Angeles, California. The 18th Street Gang was originally part of the Clanton 14 Gang, but they divided in the 1980s; the gang was originally started by Mexican immigrants.[5] The Mara Salvatucha are considered the 18th Street Gang's enemies.[6]
Barrio Azteca
The Barrio Azteca are a prison gang that are located in the United States and Mexico. The Barrio Azteca was founded in 1986 in El Paso, Texas. The prison gang was started by Mexican prisoners that were incarcerated in El Paso. The Sinaloa Cartel is one of the Barrio Azteca's major enemies.[7]
