The longstanding rivalry between the MS-13 and 18th Street Gang in Los Angeles has taken a surprising turn in recent years. Known for their brutal blood feuds and revenge killings, the two gangs have put aside their deep-seated hatred and shifted their focus to profit.
The 18th Street Gang, also known as Barrio 18, originated from Clanton 14, the first Hispanic gang in LA in the 1950s. With a strategy of opening its ranks to members of all ethnic backgrounds in the 1980s, the gang quickly grew into one of the largest in the city, with tens of thousands of members. Engaged in drug trafficking, extortion, and murder, the gang’s reach extended deep into Central America, particularly El Salvador, earning them a Foreign Terrorist designation from the FBI.
On the other hand, MS-13, with roots in El Salvador, formed in the 1980s among immigrants fleeing the country’s civil war. Originally associated with heavy metal music and marijuana use, the gang evolved into a violent criminal enterprise known for murder and extortion. Their brutal trademark of hacking rivals apart with machetes led to the gang being designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the Trump administration.
Both gangs have faced crackdowns from US authorities, resulting in many members being deported to El Salvador, where gang violence escalated, making it the murder capital of the world in 2016. This violence spilled back into Los Angeles, with cop killings, arson, racketeering, and deadly shootings rattling the city.
However, a surprising truce has emerged between the two rival gangs, prompted by the Mexican Mafia’s directive to put aside their animosity in favor of profits. Under the umbrella of Sureños, a collective working together in drug trafficking and underground casinos, gang leaders are setting aside their differences for financial gain.
While street rivalries still exist, a new era is dawning in Los Angeles’ underworld, with police concerned about the potential dangers this unified front may pose to the city. The shift from violence to profit-driven collaboration marks a significant change in the dynamics of these notorious gangs, raising alarms within the LAPD.
