Fact Check: "MS-13 originated in Los Angeles in the 1980s."
What We Know
Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13, is an international criminal gang that indeed originated in Los Angeles, California, during the 1980s. The gang was initially formed to protect Salvadoran immigrants from other gangs in the Los Angeles area, particularly during a time when many Salvadorans were fleeing their country's civil war, which resulted in significant violence and instability (MS-13: The Making of America’s Most Notorious Gang, MS-13). As these immigrants settled in the U.S., they faced discrimination and violence, prompting the formation of MS-13 as a means of self-defense and community support (MS-13: The Making of America’s Most Notorious Gang).
Over the years, MS-13 has evolved from a local protective group into a more traditional criminal organization, engaging in various illegal activities, including extortion and drug trafficking. By the 1990s, the U.S. government began deporting MS-13 members back to El Salvador, which contributed to the gang's expansion into Central America (MS-13: The Making of America’s Most Notorious Gang, MS-13).
Analysis
The claim that MS-13 originated in Los Angeles in the 1980s is supported by multiple credible sources. Steven Dudley, a journalist and expert on organized crime, provides a detailed account of the gang's origins in his book, stating that MS-13 was indeed founded in Los Angeles during this decade as a response to the challenges faced by Salvadoran immigrants (MS-13: The Making of America’s Most Notorious Gang). This assertion is corroborated by academic reviews and articles that highlight the socio-political context of the time, including the Salvadoran civil war and the subsequent migration patterns to the U.S. (MS-13: The Making of America’s Most Notorious Gang, MS-13).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are authored by experts in the field of organized crime and supported by empirical research. Dudley’s work is particularly noted for its thoroughness and is recommended for anyone seeking to understand the complexities surrounding MS-13 (MS-13: The Making of America’s Most Notorious Gang). Additionally, the Wikipedia entry on MS-13 provides a concise overview of the gang's history and its evolution, reinforcing the claim's validity (MS-13).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that MS-13 originated in Los Angeles in the 1980s is accurate. The formation of the gang was a direct response to the challenges faced by Salvadoran immigrants during a tumultuous period marked by civil war and social upheaval. The evidence from credible sources consistently supports this assertion, establishing a clear historical context for the gang's origins.