MS-13

1500 characters is way too short. These other definitions are comedies. They came from El Salvador, refugees from the decade-long civil war. These refugees were discriminated, etc. within the Latino community and were ostracized as a result. They formed the "Mara Salvatrucha Stoners." Initially they weren't violent, all they did was get high and party-even partied with other gangs. They began to accumulate foes when they moved into dealing drugs, including on Mexican territory. Hostilities increased when a member of 18th (Mexican) shot a member of MS during a fight in a party. Blows between MS and rivals especially 18th were exchanged. "Mara"=Gang, "Salvatrucha"=Term used to honor Salvadoran peasants trained as guerrilla fighters. "13" was included to honor the Mexican Mafia (most influential prison gang in all of CA), which sought to broker peace between MS-13 and 18th for economic reasons. The MM controlled the drug business of Latino gangs on LA streets and in order to make it more efficient (dealers were afraid to stand on the corner and sell for fear of being shot and killed), they got both gangs to meet (there's actual video of this) and divided MacArthur Park where both gangs could sell their stash. From there, they dropped "stoners" from their name and adopted "13." 13=M, the 13th letter in the alphabet, hence they became known as "MS-13." They're not the only gang to adopt "13," other Latino gangs that have it. It symbolizes your close affiliation with the MM.