Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, has been in the news recently due to its involvement in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and violent crimes such as murder and extortion. The gang has been linked to numerous high-profile incidents, leading to increased attention from law enforcement agencies and the media.
MS-13 originated in Los Angeles, California, in the 1970s and 1980s, initially formed to protect Salvadoran immigrants from other gangs in the area. Over the years, the gang has expanded its operations internationally, with a significant presence in Central America and the United States. Known for its brutal tactics and strict internal hierarchy, MS-13 has been designated as a transnational criminal organization by the U.S. government. Efforts to combat the gang's influence have been ongoing, with law enforcement agencies working to dismantle its operations and apprehend its members.
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The US has officially designated eight Latin American drug cartels, including Mexico's Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, as foreign terrorist organizations. This move, part of President Trump's crackdown on drug trafficking, has raised concerns in Mexico about potential US military intervention and has prompted a strong response from President Claudia Sheinbaum, who emphasizes national sovereignty.
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Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul and Cristobal Mejia-Chaj, leaders of a human smuggling organization, were arrested in Los Angeles. They face charges for smuggling thousands of migrants from Guatemala to the U.S., linked to the deaths of seven immigrants in a crash. Moises Humberto Rivera-Luna, an MS-13 leader, was extradited to face racketeering charges in Washington, D.C.
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The Trump administration has begun deporting over 250 alleged gang members, primarily from the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, to El Salvador. This follows a controversial agreement to house them in a notorious mega-prison, despite a federal judge's temporary order blocking the deportations. The situation raises significant legal and humanitarian concerns.
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Despite a federal judge's restraining order, the Trump administration deported over 250 Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador. The controversial use of the Alien Enemies Act has sparked a legal battle, raising questions about executive power and immigration policy.
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The Trump administration has continued deportations of alleged gang members to El Salvador, defying a federal court order. Judge James Boasberg is investigating whether the administration violated his directive, raising concerns about executive overreach and the potential for a constitutional crisis.
