Mara Salvatrucha
Definition
A transnational criminal organization, commonly known as MS-13, originating in Los Angeles in the 1980s among Salvadoran immigrants, known for its extreme violence and distinct system of tattoos and cliques.
A term derived from 'mara' (slang for gang or group of friends) and 'salvatrucha' (a portmanteau of 'Salvadoreño' and 'trucha', meaning 'shrewd' or 'on alert').
Examples
La Mara Salvatrucha ha pasado de reclutar en las calles de Los Ángeles a enfrentar juicios masivos mientras pierde su antigua costumbre de tatuarse la cara para pasar desapercibida.
The Mara Salvatrucha has gone from recruiting on the streets of Los Angeles to facing mass trials while abandoning its old habit of facial tattoos to fly under the radar.
Es irónico cómo la Mara Salvatrucha comenzó intentando proteger a los migrantes para luego convertirse en la razón por la que muchos otros necesitan protección con urgencia.
It is ironic how the Mara Salvatrucha started out trying to protect migrants only to later become the reason why many others urgently need protection.
Ni con todos los tatuajes del mundo pueden ocultar que el negocio de la Mara Salvatrucha está siendo desmantelado ante la justicia federal.
Not even with all the tattoos in the world can they hide the fact that the Mara Salvatrucha's business is being dismantled before federal justice.