MS-13: Central America's Deadliest Drugs Gang | The War on Drugs

MS-13 is a gang so deadly and violent that the Trump administration tried to officially label them a terrorist group. But how does this gang really operate?
How do they fit into the drug trade which is transforming Central American countries into narco-states? How have they virtually taken over entire cities?
This is how America gets MS-13 totally wrong - totally misunderstanding what this gang is and how they actually work. We go inside El Salvador's deadliest street gang.
Watch more from this series:
The Opioid Crisis Sweeping Africa
• The Opioid Crisis Swee...
Why Mexican Cartels Use American Guns
• Why Mexican Cartels Us...
The Female Cartel Bosses of Latin America
• The Female Cartel Boss...
1:38 The Gangs' Origins
2:25 When the Problem Began
3:30 War on the Cartels
7:19 Crack Down on Migration
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#drugs #gang #vice

[@VICE]

¿Quieres ver el video en español? Haz clic en el botón de configuración para cambiar la pista de audio. Want to watch this in Spanish? Head over to the settings button to change the audio track.

[@Asian_Kid]

ok

[@user-yn7tb5od1d]

Ve hacer el reportaje de nuevo y sabrás que ya no existen

[@Asian_Kid]

@@user-yn7tb5od1d ok

[@ben_5265]

Nice to see us all gathered here for VICE's weekly cartel video

[@TheSpelledMilk]

Thought you knew 👍💥✔

[@mdavis3262]

Yes sr or mam lol

[@alexandyrmitew9964]

Weekly propaganda... the demand is in northe america... so someone will fulfill it.... America need to stop it from inside not outside.... but big percentage of the ppls are brainwashed...

[@joaquinflores3547]

MS is not a cartel though

[@florin26balalau]

Where am I?

[@whatevsperson3019]

I remember my dad telling me about how he saw MS-13 and 18 start in El Salvador. He says the same exact thing, that at first it was just groups of kids/teenagers hanging out listening to music, then they started with thefts, then eventually turned into what they are now.

[@nicosfutureson4450]

Pretty much thats how they all started. Someone gets beat up then it escalates until they completely take over and start power vacuums or in this situation reach continuous Stale mate in a battle of attrition.

[@nicosfutureson4450]

Or both

[@TexasBrown713]

They started in the US bucko. They formed as a result of bullying Mexican gangs in the states then were deported back to a American funded, Civil War torn El Salvador were they thrived and grew

[@mynameismaxdowis]

so what?

[@stanleysalvatore6476]

Most of organizations usually start like that ....they eventually turn worse

[@bidenhasdementia6804]

Leave it to Vice to paint MS13 as misunderstood metal heads. Smh

[@nikopalmer6471]

Haha that was funny

[@459luker]

thats not what they are painting them as at all. They said thats what they were when ms13 first started, before they became violent gangsters

[@avqc954]

I feel like I’ve seen this video 5838 times but here we go

[@TheProtagonistDies]

yea vice is on a decline

[@YogSoth]

Same, I don’t think I learned anything from any of those viewings.

[@TheSpelledMilk]

Exactly. So many cool stories they could be doing on 💊DRUGS💊, but instead the same old thing over & over. They need wipe the slate clean. I sware they go out of there way to find the biggest posers to do these.

[@ShujathHussain0]

stop watching so many cartel videos

[@judejaradat1446]

Its just a compilation of all their former videos on MS-13. They just added some new stuff , but everything else is many years old.

[@1vw4me]

20 Homicides a day in Honduras? Chicago Mayor Lightfoot: "Those are rookie numbers, you gotta get those numbers up!"

[@tonyj9931]

El Salvador is taking the 13th/18th members one by one, yet these articles say how Inhumane the authorities are treating them but forget how them gangs treated their victims.

[@stefanjohansson2373]

We should celebrate every time a cartel leader or gang member is sent to hell for selling death. Greedy and ugly people with no right to live.

[@cheveznyc]

Well said. The more comments

[@cheveznyc]

Great job el salvador

[@cheveznyc]

Why isnt this number one 1? 😤

[@lv1543]

Ms13 should be rounded up and put up against a wall and shot firing squad style

[@neal.karn-jones]

They are getting very powerful on Long Island, NY. They murdered my friend's brother for not joining. It's hard to stop a group that recruits that way. We've got to protect our kids so they don't face that choice. Die or join. It's not some movie plot. It's real.

[@GladysAlicea]

Wow. So sorry for your loss. What’s the answer?

[@neal.karn-jones]

@@GladysAlicea Thank you but I never actually met my friend's brother. It happened before I met my friend. I don't have an answer but one thing that we are doing that almost guarantees them new recruits is that we take unaccompanied minor immigrants and move them to an immigrant community, thinking this will help them adjust, and they become prey for the gangs. They have nobody to protect them and are usually afraid to go to police for help. The gang bullies the kid until he joins or they kill him. People don't seem to believe that children are actually facing this decision. Join or die. It's real. We're taking children leaving a hellish existence and putting them into another hell where they have a great chance of death or long prison sentences. Maybe they'd be better off living in communities that don't have such a high population of new immigrants? Especially because it is known that this is happening. MS-13 preys on its own immigrant community and that's how it increases its power and numbers. Maybe we could spread immigrants around the country in a smarter way, especially if they don't have a preference on where they want to live. It may sound extreme but the problem is very serious. We could explain to them what situation they face if they live in an immigrant community and offer them an opportunity to live elsewhere if they want.

[@AngelloDelNorte]

@@GladysAlicea War on gangs, revoke rights away from criminals, concentration camps, and death penalty that's the answer -- it worked in El Salvador, Philippines, and China. However, we know usa governors aren't gonna do that because is more profitable keeping them in jail.

[@jonadams5547]

In Long Island? That’s wild.

[@neal.karn-jones]

@@jonadams5547 Not sure if that is a joke, bc we say "on Long Island" not "in Long Island". But yeah, they are very powerful here.

[@seventeenkarl8309]

its mindblowing how homicidal gang members answering questions calmly like one minute they were shooting someone in the head then next minute they were sitting down and answering interviews

[@cloud9_26]

They grew up in and around violence, and there's so much death that they basically become desensitized when it comes to killing. I've heard stories of young boys recruited for the cartels in Mexico, they say they give them someone to kill for the first time so they get "used" to it. It's sad, the crime and poverty, I'm Guatemalan/Mexican but born and raised in the States and honestly, none of this shocked me. I've heard worse. 😔

[@MostHighEmperorPalpatine]

When you're immune from punishment it's far more easy to be calm and collected... MS-13 is every conservatives worst nightmare even when compared to abortion and gay marriage

[@holymacarenafin2319]

Tribal mind. Kill The enemy tribe. Its build in to us. Everyone can dig that part of them out. Look at American polical party supporters. Its not far away for them

[@toxicgameryt8500]

​@@cloud9_26 can you help me get us visa. ? If you're in the position to do me this favor

[@small_fries7573]

So tragic 😢😢😢 no answers to this horrific crime spree. Nothing works to stop this. Life is unpredictable and possibly fragile... Have u thought about whether u go 2 heaven or hell after this life? Cuz life is short & fragile. Look at how many peeps die each day...but there's hope... It is alright to be concern or not know about what happens after this life. Fortunately there's a way to not suffer, not be in danger, not be poor, not get hurt, not have to work in vain, not have to feel any kind of negative vibe, and not to get tired anymore. Imagine you will be invincible, immortal, and holy with a new, upgraded body to the core! Imagine everyone around you will be the same as you. Isn't that a delightful thought? It's true you or anyone can have eternal life. All you got to do is to accept Jesus Christ 🙏 as your Savior! Once you do, He will let you into heaven during your day when you finally see Him! God does like you. You have to reach our to Him by prayers 🙏 ❤️ ♥️. Let Him know your issues 🙏 He is listening to you.

[@looking8030]

I feel for those people that have to live in such a dangerous place

[@UKCHEEZ]

I know London needs burning down 😁

[@maverickworld8192]

I was born and raised in El Salvador 🇸🇻

[@fofofofo3076]

@@maverickworld8192 stay safe

[@maverickworld8192]

@@fofofofo3076 thank you

[@odon902]

like you have to be like that if you want to survive, Lord Jesus bless you there my El Salvadoran friends.

[@judejaradat1446]

This is just a compilation of all their former videos on MS-13. They just added some new stuff , but everything else is many years old.

[@samsonsoturian6013]

There doesn't seem any original journalism, just a highly editorialized wiki article.

[@bkay6094]

Not much has changed in terms of MS-13.

[@cbarreto11usa]

@@bkay6094 True, i think the only new thing in this vid is Trump saying they are all animals and he is totally right. I worked w salvadorians ( the good people ) and they all say the same

[@cbarreto11usa]

@Rain Eclipse Nah, don't even vote in the US but if i did i certainly wouldn't vote for Biden either. My comment was based on facts, and i've seen everything on VICE and this vid has nothing new but Trump saying

[@WhitePony556]

@@cbarreto11usa Hell yes brother. I'm a Salvadoran American and i believe ALL gangs/maras should be eradicated. I am also a registered republican as democrats have worsened everything. A lot of hispanics/latinos are voting republican as we have now seen exactly what the leftists are and what they're for.

[@kevinellerbroock6308]

Respect to my spanish teacher for bringing up the ms-13 as a topic in our class

[@Floridawg]

scammer boy said they'll gift you cocaine 😂😂😂

[@kevinellerbroock6308]

@@Floridawg i think its called advertisement

[@Floridawg]

@@kevinellerbroock6308 yea I know

[@Floridawg]

@@kevinellerbroock6308 advertisement for a scam

[@kevinellerbroock6308]

@@Floridawg i like pickles

[@lindakay1700]

If I were a single Mom in El Salvador or Honduras - especially with a young Son(s)….I would do anything to escape this area, anything. These young boys without Fathers don’t stand a single chance. This situation absolutely breaks my heart 😥 Dear God, PLEASE help them. Please protect all the innocent women and children. Please guide us all to a safer planet everywhere. Please HEAL those who are so badly wounded, traumatized by this gang situation. Please expose the corruption at the top that perpetuates any of this..🙏🏻🙏🏻 PRAY for South America 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@stanleywang7367]

The video is from 6 years ago. A new president came into power in El Salvador, initiated mass arrests of gang members, and now El Salvador has a lower murder rate than the US.

[@small_fries7573]

😢😢 So tragic 😢😢😢 no answers to this horrific crime spree. Nothing works to stop this. Life is unpredictable and possibly fragile... Have u thought about whether u go 2 heaven or hell after this life? Cuz life is short & fragile. Look at how many peeps die each day...but there's hope... It is alright to be concern or not know about what happens after this life. Fortunately there's a way to not suffer, not be in danger, not be poor, not get hurt, not have to work in vain, not have to feel any kind of negative vibe, and not to get tired anymore. Imagine you will be invincible, immortal, and holy with a new, upgraded body to the core! Imagine everyone around you will be the same as you. Isn't that a delightful thought? It's true you or anyone can have eternal life. All you got to do is to accept Jesus Christ 🙏 as your Savior! Once you do, He will let you into heaven during your day when you finally see Him! God does like you. You have to reach our to Him by prayers 🙏 ❤️ ♥️. Let Him know your issues 🙏 He is listening to you.

[@AMAZINGDAVE]

​@@small_fries7573Amen

[@smokesalvador1031]

It's ok in el Salvador now big crack down lots of GMs in prison supermax aswell 😂😂😂😂 Honduras is getting cleared up as we speak it's about time,🙏

[@small_fries7573]

@@smokesalvador1031 Therefore if you want to spend eternity on heaven after your life here on earth 🌎, you should believe in your heart ❤️ that Jesus Christ is your Savior. If you don't, you will miss going to heaven and end up in the lake of fire. It is terrible so I beg you to make the only correct decision for God to allow you to go to heaven. Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life. 🙏 Have a nice day.

[@xxMelaniexx]

America's war on drugs creates the perfect marketplace for this to happen. It's not a surprise people risk their lives to leave. I'd do anything to keep my kid safe and I'm sure most would do the same for their families

[@sasquatchtv4157]

It’s within their interest to leave the gang mostly untouched, so we can feed the prison systems in America, this desperation is perpetuated domestically.

[@leahflower9924]

True El Salvador government and leaders also responsible too though

[@worldgonemad1152]

You forgot to mention a corrupt government as well .

[@MelGibsonFan]

The US has definitely made this problem worse, but gang and organized crime as well as absurdly high rates of violence have been endemic in central and parts of South America for the better part of a century. Even as far back prohibition Mexican criminal organizations have been exploiting our black markets and tragic addiction for profit.

[@jimmygaynor1954]

It all started over an ice cream vendor ? Unknown to MS13 n MS 18 are from central america the Usa has a its nazi propgram in operation or the perfect place to peddle drugs illegal n legal onto their own people n then blame El Anybody : Your on the money my man , keep ur own power dont empower our societies elite aryans by thinking they have power you dont . Take care

[@azurefortman8887]

I LOVE that Vice is back to this quality content ☀️💛

[@small_fries7573]

So tragic 😢😢😢 no answers to this horrific crime spree. Nothing works to stop this. Life is unpredictable and possibly fragile... Have u thought about whether u go 2 heaven or hell after this life? Cuz life is short & fragile. Look at how many peeps die each day...but there's hope... It is alright to be concern or not know about what happens after this life. Fortunately there's a way to not suffer, not be in danger, not be poor, not get hurt, not have to work in vain, not have to feel any kind of negative vibe, and not to get tired anymore. Imagine you will be invincible, immortal, and holy with a new, upgraded body to the core! Imagine everyone around you will be the same as you. Isn't that a delightful thought? It's true you or anyone can have eternal life. All you got to do is to accept Jesus Christ 🙏 as your Savior! Once you do, He will let you into heaven during your day when you finally see Him! God does like you. You have to reach our to Him by prayers 🙏 ❤️ ♥️. Let Him know your issues 🙏 He is listening to you.

[@hensoakira]

@@small_fries7573we don't got time for your bullshit

[@aldo0360]

Información falsa, y la currupcion de los altos funcionarios de EU? Y el caso Epstein? El gobierno gringo lavando el cerebro de su pueblo.

[@thedeeprot]

*VICE BRINGING THE CONTENT LATELY!* 👍

[@BatkoNashBandera774]

welcome to the party

[@MastuhP]

Mongol

[@mr.crowgamer6250]

Always someone like you saying the same ass comment about vice

[@TravisTerrell]

@@mr.crowgamer6250True, these recent ones have all just been rehashed summaries and reused footage from back in the day when they used to actually report stories in dangerous places.

[@mr.crowgamer6250]

@@TravisTerrell yh man I haven’t really looked into it that much although I’m sure your right.. just loads of people say the same “vice this vice that’ for likes

[@stuartsaint4581]

This is such a good series, just sensible analysis

[@patrickhernandez3594]

I’m currently in Honduras and i can vouch that none of this will stop anytime soon

[@SDCB754]

Damn, hope you're alright, man

[@VisualScenery]

The war on drugs videos are my favorite videos to watch !

[@JohnDoe-vx9bo]

This has been going on for decades....I went to school with children of, and some of the MS13 gang members. I personally know some of them. Even became friends cuz we lived in the same neighborhood. They are well within the borders of America.

[@JohnDoe-vx9bo]

Actually....not too long ago, a high school basketball coach tried robbing MS gang members in the state I referenced earlier. They killed him of course.....

[@isabelreyes6387]

MS-13 started in the 80s and was not a product of the war on drugs but a product of civil war in Central America when the guerrillas began fleeing Central America to the US where they lived as undocumented workers most of their lives. Violence begets violence. The US based gangs really created havoc bc they began to organize making them stronger and bigger as the years passed. Most of them are low level street dealers that rob, kidnap and murder. It is horrible just how much they have torn that country up. I am Salvadoran and my mom had to sell her property and a rock bottom price bc the gang members murdered her tenant and took up residence in the home my mom inherited from my grand parents

[@barryallen871]

The video literally just portrayed how this has been going on for decades. Who was that statement even for?

[@barryallen871]

@@isabelreyes6387 The Salvadoran Civil War you are referring to started in 1979. Drug gangs in general are a product of the war on drugs.

[@meghancass3187]

@@barryallen871 Some Salvadorans fled their Civil War and got asylum here. Once here they were preyed upon by LA street gangs so they form La Mara Salvatrucha, (later called MS-13) for protection and to fight back. Then they got deported/exported to El Salvador if they finished a jail sentence here. Now these LA street gangs are multinational and are more and more closely working with cartels, on the west coast here primarily under the supervision of La Eme. (The Mexican Mafia,) which is a powerful US prison gang. The number 13 denotes that affiliation.

[@jeremiasrobinson]

The definition of "cartel" and morphed for most people since it became primarily associated with the drug trade.

[@greenwave819]

right, it used to refer to a group of guys that would haul freight using carts

[@samsonsoturian6013]

Originally it meant a large syndicate that attenpts to maintain a monopoly on something (which DTOs commonly do). These days the term means "a gang of gangs."

[@halfforeignamericana5451]

@@samsonsoturian6013 well they used to have a monopoly, but soooo many different players came into the game. Mainly, starting w home grown meth labs, fentanyl coming in from China, and can’t forget about good ol’ Cali homegrown.

[@samsonsoturian6013]

@@halfforeignamericana5451 Not exactly. There once La Federacion which had a near monopoly on the Mexican drug trade. Their leadership was wiped out, and their component parts started building their own regional drug empires (among them Sinaloa, El Chapo's crew). These days the biggest empires no longer have any connection to La Federacion.

[@stefanjohansson2373]

It’s not the real problem, ugly and greedy persons on every level in the trade should be executed. Selling death should lead to their own death, simple. The self sanitation between the gangs are to slow and innocent people gets involved.

[@Weah702]

both are American gangs btw

[@Devrijheidvandebeperking]

Great show again💪💪

[@mpleandre]

Hey! Long time without a new video about Honduras, which will probably be the main character if we talk crime :D

[@snootywinner]

Could you please make a video on the terrible civil war in El Salvador during the 80s?

[@maverickworld8192]

I was part of the FMLN GUERILLA movement. I was in El Salvador during the Civil War...I was age 9 when FMLN kidnapped me and made me walk 🚶‍♀️ for miles with a M16 on the back of my head then taken yo a military place where they tortured us Russian roulette style then all of us kids were forced to join FMLN GUERILLA movement and by age 9 that year I already had my first body.... I lived it

[@nikopalmer6471]

@@maverickworld8192 I’ve only seen a few documentaries on the civil war in the 80’s

[@crimzonrayz3274]

@@maverickworld8192 so essentially they forced u to kill im so sorry u had to live that

[@chufnoski2128]

@@maverickworld8192 my uncle was kidnapped to join the war, he was never seen a again after they took him.

[@mesquitoful]

How old are you?

[@OurCommunityYouth]

I love how they produce these episodes that talk about absolutely nothing.

[@sendthis9480]

It’s videos like these that always have the capacity to expose the true meaning behind all of the ramifications caused from the inaction of twice removed conceptual perceptions.

[@igaraider]

Exactly

[@funkytransport]

@@sendthis9480 lol

[@compoundalchemistget1monan591]

Meanwhile, the US has the middle class paying all of the taxes, while the rich exploit countless loopholes and use write-offs to bring their taxable income down to zero while making millions a year in equity... Hope you all are doing well right now, headed into the recession. More inflation & Fed rate hikes to come...

[@the_local_bigamist]

This episode said a lot. Maybe you aren't able to listen due to an issue with your ears, or you are unable to understand and process information due to some kind of cognitive issue.

[@garybmxlewis1234]

i love these war on drug videos

[@lorenzoreboa5378]

Tones are as epic as ever. This is a Gangland episode by Vice, not focusing on the solution to the problem but mostly on the gangsters or violence surrounding them.

[@uoy3604]

Do you have a solution?

[@sir2657]

​@@uoy3604literally a better government with more jobs....

[@sterlthepearl1000]

"It's not a war on drugs, it's a war on personal freedom." Bill Hicks

[@ricardoz7501]

its a war on drugs and animals

[@icu2ytmartian938]

Bro ms and 18 arent the only gangs in el salvador.they are the only ones that got the spotlight on them tho.

[@Malcolm189]

Well said!

[@freemygrandma8752]

Every time I watch vice it just makes me feel nice and cozy.

[@drizzyslique7136]

Frfrrr, idk whyyy.

[@danjan713]

FAH Q lol

[@Holland1994D]

This is what I want to see from Vice! Not the weekly 'how to roll a joint' or the 'there are 9000 genders' videos!

[@lliamrmusic]

weekly how to roll a joint can stay

[@arkcorps9138]

This video is old they’re out of content they’re just rehashing it

[@middlepillar9257]

Feels like I've seen this before

[@sysy5557]

They reupload it

[@adedayoALB]

Wait. Vice is taking their side??

[@carlosuwu4069]

Me encantan sus documentales, son súper interesantes y muy bien estructurados

[@carlosdellepiagge]

Keep up with the great work, Vice.

[@waynes4369]

I'm 54 and my wife and I are VERY worried about our future, gas and food prices rising daily. We have had our savings dwindle with the cost of living into the stratosphere, we are finding it impossible to replace it. We can get by, but cant seem to get ahead. My condolences to anyone retiring in this crisis, 30years nonstop just for a crooked system to take all you worked for.

[@jackfinnva2409]

@@nissan38p69 that's actually quite impressive, Please how can I contact your advisor, I really like what he has done for you, and I also want to benefit from it. I am looking to make a change on my finances this year as well

[@nissan38p69]

@@jackfinnva2409 The

[@adokadanla1407]

@@nissan38p69 The crazy part is that those advisors are probably outperforming the market and raising good returns but some are charging fees over fees drain your portfolio. Is this the case with yours too?

[@marshallbsanz2068]

@@nissan38p69 I also needed his info too I’ll write him than

[@leither-truth4414]

Even with the current downfall in price of crypto currencies, Mr Arjun B Jagat still makes profits for me,, am still wondering how he does that.

[@broteinsheikh]

This war on drugs series is up there with the one star review episodes

[@jessyr8471]

Eyy! Ven a hacer la parte 2 de este documental, ahora verás como todo esto quedo en el pasado. No digo que no haya remanentes de pandillas pero casi casi..es NULA su presencia. Ahora es otra realidad muy distinta, para nosotros los SALVADOREÑOS esta nueva realidad era impensable casi imposible y mira que te lo digo yo que viví de cerca en zona roja bajo dominio de las letras.. (MS13) para nosotros era imposible que eso se acabara y ahora estamos viviendo otra realidad, espero los paises en conflicto con la delincuencia tomen como ejemplo a nuestro país, usando el mismo metodo que usó Bukele, por ejemplo la realidad tan sangrienta que esta viviendo México, pero primero deben acabar con gobiernos corruptos ya que son los gobiernos los principales culpables de la delincuencia, si no se limpia empezando por el gobierno, jamás se acabara con la delincuencia.

[@dailynnsp.o.v]

For the ones who reads this just know this is only the beginning keep pushing, grinding, and fighting. Whatever it is in life you want to do to go after it life is to short. Life is a marathon not a sprint so go out there and live it up I hope all is well and goes well for you peace and one love.🙏🏽

[@freemygrandma8752]

❤️

[@michelangelo4483]

Shut up lol

[@Amethyst_Friend]

Pushing, grinding and fighting I don't need. I'm not in a war

[@gloriahallelujah1118]

No push No grind And Never fight Be kind to yourself and others , you’re amazing and loved unconditionally

[@nitangringo]

I just left El Salvador and it is quite crazy how much has changed!

[@GhostSal]

Worse, better?

[@SaLvAdOriaN127]

Depends who you ask and where they live. Some ppl say the gangs are stil very much present, but aren’t walking around as freely and comfortable as before for fear of being caught. In more rural areas, they are still extorting and making ppls life hell. The president mainly cares about keeping tourist areas free and clear of gangs.

[@dodidanidagr8197]

​​@@GhostSal better much better El Salvador went from the most violent country in the world to now the safest in all Latin America can't say the same for Honduras. Honduras is still very much dangerous

[@NewTheoryMagazine]

Great video 🍿

[@jajlertil]

”The problems for central America began in the 1990s” lol

[@nichetechhd]

VICE has lately been making some great content!

[@small_fries7573]

Sure have 🎉 So tragic 😢😢😢 no answers to this horrific crime spree. Nothing works to stop this. Life is unpredictable and possibly fragile... Have u thought about whether u go 2 heaven or hell after this life? Cuz life is short & fragile. Look at how many peeps die each day...but there's hope... It is alright to be concern or not know about what happens after this life. Fortunately there's a way to not suffer, not be in danger, not be poor, not get hurt, not have to work in vain, not have to feel any kind of negative vibe, and not to get tired anymore. Imagine you will be invincible, immortal, and holy with a new, upgraded body to the core! Imagine everyone around you will be the same as you. Isn't that a delightful thought? It's true you or anyone can have eternal life. All you got to do is to accept Jesus Christ 🙏 as your Savior! Once you do, He will let you into heaven during your day when you finally see Him! God does like you. You have to reach our to Him by prayers 🙏 ❤️ ♥️. Let Him know your issues 🙏 He is listening to you.

[@Sentrme]

Only you are concerned. Bring on the fires, I'll deal with them when they exist.

[@legacy79-jt1gb]

El Salvador has changed, Bukele defeated them

[@GS-fv1ut]

This is why we need to treat drug addiction as an illness. Treat the people, reduce the dependency on drug dealers, reduce their cashflow. If America can change its mentality on treating instead of punishing, other countries will benefit as well.

[@pixi111]

You’re spot on!!!!! also the US loves their prison system, ”us vs them” mentality, violence and punishment, rather than creating actual solutions, like education, purpose, safety…

[@rickybaillie4222]

This has a lot to do with these guys not being around anymore Really interesting story about a fantastic group of men. In 1972 a crack commando unit Was sent to prison by a military court For a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade To the Los Angeles underground Today, still wanted by the government, They survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, If no one else can help And if you can find them Maybe you can hire the A-team

[@wadeguidry6675]

I pity the fool......

[@commentcraftsman]

Those commandos should've left the crack alone.

[@ysl6549]

For this dude to say ms 13 and 18 st arent dommestic terrorists is absurd and them being an international group make them terrorists

[@User-54631]

In his defense. He is from the Uk their street gangs are the Diet Coke of street gangs.

[@WhitePony556]

Our government in El Salvador classifies them as terrorists and we are in the process of eradicating them.

[@kelvinduran2223]

Nice to see El Salvador now!! Without gangs!

[@bombast9866]

This feels like a high school project

[@aloewishes27]

what a lovely world we live in, great place to raise a family

[@ManeScreen.]

Depends on the country you live in

[@barczibelu931]

Bukele, one of the greatest presidents ever, managed to capture more than 30,000 MS13 garbages. That's how it supposed to work, big up 💪💪💪

[@samsonsoturian6013]

You know they signed a ceasefire with gangs, right?

[@marcosmenjivar9035]

Bukele did not sing any treaty with these terrorists, he's currently jailed over 40thousand gang members and is increasing his efforts to rid el Salvador of this plague, perhaps if the US applied the same efforts it wouldn't be the SH!T show it is today, BUKELE is ranked the #1 president in the world....

[@jrami223]

@@samsonsoturian6013 false buddy! Very false ! If that was true why the gang killed 40+people in 2 days 1month ago

[@jrami223]

@@samsonsoturian6013 and if they did why are they over 40k gang member locked up after that massacre!? There sleep in floor they in dark rooms 24hr with only 2 meals a day!

[@samsonsoturian6013]

@@jrami223 it is widely believed in Salvador that a truce was reached with gang leaders in prison, but also rumors circulate that Bukele is accused of violating the terms. This is all hearsay and no one can say much for certain.

[@bettyboop96]

In my town back in 2016-2017 MS-13 tried to take over & murdered atleast 20 people ages ranged from 16-23 It was a very sad time. They are ruthless

[@tence_6965]

Your beautiful!

[@troymccomak1208]

Legalize all drugs and end the funding of organized crime which has created this most serious issue.

[@SERENAJANELOPEZ]

Vice is getting worse. Using old content for the 100th time about the same topic. 🙄

[@JIGSAW1986]

Unsubscribe and go and see new Taliban ❤️

[@ameno777]

When I was in Quito, Ecuador in 2008, there was one paper full of killings done by mafia in Guayaquil alone. They kill the family of the drug user that own them money. In one article they rang the doorbell and attacked the wife with broken glass bottles. There was pictures of all the blood in the house, as she tried to get away, and then her body in bits and pieces. I only had a short plane ride to that city on my way to the Galapagos Islands, witch is pretty great.

[@masterofgame6847]

El Salvador is finally free! 🇸🇻 Bravo Bukele 👏

[@deloctober4369]

I would like to see comparisons discussed between organized crime and government.

[@matthyde53]

This is the same guy(or person lol) who made a video about how the CIA didn’t sell crack during the crack epidemic. Nothing this person says should ever be taken seriously.

[@marsargoxmiso1695]

This is sad, people have not reached to a point of peace, we are so self destructive and horrible to our own species. I hope and pray that one day South American countries can rightfully prosper to where young kids do not need to get into gangs they can make a good living on decent career path.

[@ZERU818]

Centro america.......... Muitos países da América central e o México estão na América do norte...... Já a partir do Panamá já é América do Sul então por favor vá estudar geografia......

[@Cabledeluz1977]

I lived in Honduras for a few years a few months before Hurricane Mitch hit the country. Those were crazy times

[@mpleandre]

Indeed.

[@falconmediaworks9479]

It will never stop so long as a select few within defense contracts/politicians continue to make a fortune. This corruption is throughout gangs and governments alike.

[@riemannzetafunction440]

It seems they have decided not to mention the dichotomy of US foreign policy involving those three nations leading up to this epidemic of gang violence spanning through the 1960s to the present date. I am curious as to why this does not play a bigger role in this presentation?

[@24fretsoffury]

Maybe because that would be a whole different video? Vice is attempting to show that for as long as the war on drugs continues, these once, small time groups turn into powerful, international gangs and smugglers. End the war on drugs, tax the sales and use those taxes to fund rehab and clinics. War won.

[@cloud9_26]

Exactly! Especially in Guatemala!😤

[@GhostSal]

Agreed!

[@mfun503]

Yes, so much more to this. What about the fruit companies who took a lot of land and leaned on the US government and local government to have things go their way which set a lot of things in motion against the local people.

[@enrike874]

@vice you guys should make a video about the people being incarcerated in El Salvador that have nothing to do with the gangs. Yeah the government are taking them out the street but they are also targeting the poor communities. My step dad and a few Christian guys I went to church with when u was a kid, are locked up now under the regime ruling

[@zackwilson822]

I support this

[@LauPineda]

Vice has a deep blue tint. I don’t think they want to deal with the dissolutions of a god-king. Bukele has lost His mind. “El pulgarcito de America” will continue to be under this mess until they realized that nor communism nor socialism will ever work and that every single lier that came to power, right or left has ransack the place with smoke and mirrors. Truth to be told, I have no idea if there’s hope in our generation for Central American or specifically, for my beloved El Salvador. Take courage and if there’s anything in your hands to do, do it! If there’s just one more thing, do it! Like Paul said: “be men” Go! If there’s one more prayer, pray it. I pray God has mercy of your friends. Only Jesus can save us. Let His Kingdom come and His will to be done on El Salvador as in heaven.

[@GladysAlicea]

Also one on El Salvador’s new “cool” dictator, its youngest ever. Frightening to watch, but if US hadn’t done everything in its power to ensure Central America never progressed and threatened its power, the region would be better off.

[@whynawt]

@@GladysAlicea i’ll never forgive the US for their involvement in what turned into an 11 year civil war that killed thousands of innocent lives. nothing good came out of that. refugees fled, started MS-13 in LA, just for the US to deport those same refugees back to the country that they tore up, and have MS-13 flood El Salvador to cause terror. All of this was due to the US involvement.

[@kappa4230]

Lmaooo u cappin they not locking up random people😂they locking up Gang members and people who have ties to them😂😂😂

[@alexsmart5452]

18th Street was always cool to me when I went to score at 6th and Bonnie Brae.

[@EddieRocketpepper]

these are astounding ive ended up with hard men defending the rights of others at extended points in conflict i value these details.

[@aceylaboy9773]

This guy make some nice pieces

[@adalhaq3960]

What an iconic statement. "We would like to congratulate drugs for winning the war on drugs".

[@JIGSAW1986]

Go and get your family free from Islam and Madarsa education ✌️ all support to you if required love you brother ❤️

[@adalhaq3960]

@@JIGSAW1986 What are you on about?

[@stefanjohansson2373]

Iconic or pathetic statement, that’s the question… Anyone that glorifies drugs has obviously gone to far in their own addiction, and/or having mental problems. Selling death should be punished with a death sentence.

[@bitbat9]

@@stefanjohansson2373 terrible take

[@stefanjohansson2373]

@@bitbat9 Junkies often feel that way…

[@thatssomething1]

Feels like I've watched these CA gang reports/docs too many times before...yer LATE Vice

[@derptrolling4740]

Mara Salvatrucha MS 13 is in the Philippines 🇵🇭

[@dotsmassacre]

The problem is the consumer and that largely stems from moral apathy on the part of high traffick recipient cultures and countries.

[@UKCHEEZ]

Boredom you mean and an escape from the pointless lives 😁

[@dotsmassacre]

@@UKCHEEZ no, I mean, they don’t really care how they get the stuff they buy or who gets hurt to make it…

[@djb3273]

Drugs and free will were here before governments. Just saying

[@dotsmassacre]

@@djb3273 Fair enough, so were mammoths and sabre tooth tigers…

[@djb3273]

@@dotsmassacre bro this is just a repeat of prohibition with alcohol. Its all about money at the end of the day. So many people would be without jobs if there was no war on drugs

[@StreetHeavyproduction]

They been fighting the MS 13 for years and still haven't been able to bring them down

[@incominghitdadirt9587]

I don't think they are really trying.

[@WhitePony556]

El Salvador is bringing them down, we brought down the homicide rate and are one of the safest countries in CA thanks to Bukele's new measures.

[@johnnytsunami3695]

We are not seriously fighting them

[@rollingrizzo1291]

They don’t fight anything, they lock them up and make them even deadlier and more resourceful.

[@WhitePony556]

@@rollingrizzo1291 You’re right. That’s why we’ll bring back the death penalty (:

[@everydayhen]

You reuploaded or what? I sure have seen this from this channel many weeks ago.

[@JacobHG1234]

Best vice series

[@tukin5575]

y bukele se los cargo😅

[@themahesh2168]

I love the way you present the documentaries. Make some more on illegal immigration reality. Most of the things that are absent in mainstream media. Great work vice .

[@soccerguy325]

What about "illegal immigration reality"?

[@muslimcel4581]

Bruh vice is literally mainstream media😂😂

[@small_fries7573]

I'd rather u be in heaven with us and God. Imagine how awful and horrendous it would be for anyone to be 🔥 burning eternally in hundreds 💯 or thousand degrees of fire in hell...one minute, 1 hr, 1 day, 1 wk, 1 month, 1 decade...if humans need da shade or stay indoor during the summer in 90-120 degrees heat, how much worse will burning in hell for those who rejected Jesus Christ during the time ⏲️ when they were alive. Please 🙏 accept Jesus Christ as your Savior b4 your life ends 🙏

[@small_fries7573]

@@soccerguy325 Therefore if you want to spend eternity on heaven after your life here on earth 🌎, you should believe in your heart ❤️ that Jesus Christ is your Savior. If you don't, you will miss going to heaven and end up in the lake of fire. It is terrible so I beg you to make the only correct decision for God to allow you to go to heaven. Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life. 🙏 Have a nice day.

[@small_fries7573]

@@muslimcel4581 Therefore if you want to spend eternity on heaven after your life here on earth 🌎, you should believe in your heart ❤️ that Jesus Christ is your Savior. If you don't, you will miss going to heaven and end up in the lake of fire. It is terrible so I beg you to make the only correct decision for God to allow you to go to heaven. Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life. 🙏 Have a nice day.

[@alejandrogaricia2252]

Let this sink in 18st is a Mexican gang that became the biggest gang in El Salvador and Los Angeles

[@taysitoelgrifo9749]

It ended up with all the gangsters arrested in one of the best prission of the world. Nayid bukele

[@toribaker00]

America created it...SMGDH

[@petergambier]

The same could be said about alcohol production, distribution and sales, it can also lead to personality changes, addiction and violent behaviour.

[@turok4714]

And is the cause of many deaths every year.

[@atmosrepair]

Absolutely! But alcohol is socially acceptable, so in the cities, there is a liquor store on every corner.

[@barryallen871]

@@atmosrepair In Washington state you can just buy liquor in your local Safeway grocery store(or pretty much anywhere). I'm not sure if the even have liquor stores.

[@small_fries7573]

Life is unpredictable and possibly fragile... Have u thought about whether u go 2 heaven or hell after this life? Cuz life is short & fragile. Look at how many peeps die each day...but there's hope... It is alright to be concern or not know about what happens after this life. Fortunately there's a way to not suffer, not be in danger, not be poor, not get hurt, not have to work in vain, not have to feel any kind of negative vibe, and not to get tired anymore. Imagine you will be invincible, immortal, and holy with a new, upgraded body to the core! Imagine everyone around you will be the same as you. Isn't that a delightful thought? It's true you or anyone can have eternal life. All you got to do is to accept Jesus Christ 🙏 as your Savior! Once you do, He will let you into heaven during your day when you finally see Him! God does like you. You have to reach our to Him by prayers 🙏 ❤️ ♥️. Let Him know your issues 🙏 He is listening to you.

[@ANonyMouse627]

You can safely use alcohol in moderation and not have an addiction. There is no amount of cocaine that is safe to use.

[@Trill.Clipz.Channel]

Living close to the border from Mex , MS are definitely out here strong

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

Instead of joining a gang, what about becoming a monk or friar? ♥️

[@gvipdeportesmexico1662]

Las pandillas escuchando a Black Sabbath en los angeles WAJAJAJAJKAA SE VE QUE NO SABEN NADA DE NADA, al escuchar esto dejé de ver el vídeo de una vez 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@eros21112]

5:00 covers his face but not his tattoos and voice it must be his first day being a gang member

[@machinpissssonu]

Thank you prohibition!

[@zinjanthropus322]

And to think, all this could be ended by adding a few shelves at the drug store.

[@angelmelendez782]

Update: El Salvador is a much more safer country right now

[@dicru48]

Honduras isn’t unfortunately

[@LuisCampos-gz2ts]

Too bad you guys at VICE mainly brought old clip into this video. There are many other recent trends regarding organized crime and narcotraffic in the region that you missed. What are the strategic functions that gangs exert in each country? Is the balloon effect still in place? What's the US response to such challenges? How is the overall security situation evolving in the region that are turning Central America into an incresingly unlivable region?

[@GladysAlicea]

Good points, not to mention the ruling class, who makes millions from drugs.

[@thu-leh-rimawi]

Everybody's gangster until Bukele knock the door

[@LauPineda]

💔🇸🇻 . . . There’s more to it. Historically, corruption and bloodshed has cover the land. This a big piece of the puzzle but keep in mind not the only one.

[@GlorifyLife]

Want to see their interview 50 years from now.

[@scottjohnson5687]

I only here for my bag of tegerty blow

[@brendandavis4279]

California and Mexico have largely given up on the War on Drugs. Vice should do a video on how this change of policy has led to safer streets.

[@prdgmshft9107]

Lmao…. Mexico is a failed state and California is in the midst of a crime wave.

[@troymccomak1208]

You cannot fix a medical problem with a gun.

[@evilradish2556]

@@troymccomak1208 But can you fix a gun with a medical problem? 🤔

[@troymccomak1208]

@@evilradish2556 only in New Reno.

[@reggiegabriel2545]

Yes record high fentanyl overdoses is good policy change that’s led to safer streets. Lol go look at homicide rates & get back to me on that one kid.

[@Johndoe_youtube]

What's crazy is the thumbnail guy is from Fulton st locos from North Hollywood CA... And now theyre in el Salvador

[@thereaper7682]

Please upload more Mexican cartel videos Vice

[@TheCarlota27]

Por favor coloquem legendas em português

[@blakebeaton8410]

The other morning I drove by the fresh scene of an assassination of the son of a former president of Honduras. CSI was on the scene cleaning up the bodies and collecting evidence. It was an organized hit (likely by the narcos). I saw CCTV footage hours after that. They drove up dressed as military and put them against the wall. I imagine that the narcos are so powerful that any president of Honduras is forced to play ball with them or have their family members killed. I am speculating that it was the narcos a.t.m. though (but it doesn't take a neuro-scientist to figure it out). One thing that wasn't mentioned is that Honduras is divided between narcos and mareros (gangsters like MS-13). The narcos will take out any MS-13 members who enter their territory to extort or recruit. My wife's grand parents live in a "narco-controlled" area of the country and there are no problems because the narcos only care about moving drugs. The narcos don't extort or recruit (as far as I know) in the same way as the mareros, so don't bother them and they won't bother you (it seems). Mareros are gangs of poor people that appear to mostly extort; however, I suppose they could also run drugs. They "control" the cities that narcos don't really care about because the narcos move their drugs through the country side and along highways. They don't come into the cities to sell their drugs; they go straight to America. In all honesty, the drug war is definitely a cause of the violence but cutthroat capitalism is just as much to blame. Honduras is essentially just a subjugate colony of the US, at least economically, politically and militarily. Honduras would fare much better with a form of socialism that addresses the poverty that fuels the gangs (at the expense of the very rich and upper class, which my wife appears to belong to). Japan did it, why not Honduras?

[@texanman2870]

Yea ok

[@shehuyakubu3751]

@@texanman2870 always a miserable troll...u wanna know how the discerning know when something is true? When a dissonance agent injects an unnecessary "cognitive protest" just so people's brains can subconsciously register that someone somewhere on the planet "disagrees". Therefore there "must be another side to it".

[@marcosalipi7767]

With what money? I don't think they have a large enough economy to sustainably fund robust social programs. While having social programs is good, I think they need to focus on creating industries that create jobs and wealth. Like focusing on telemarketing, fintech or in small scale manufacturing (like non-complex medical equipment). Once they have a reliable tax base, they can begin expanding their welfare programs. There is no one solution but a series of policies that target different areas such as security, poverty, education, jobs etc.

[@blakebeaton8410]

@@marcosalipi7767 I would suggest taxing the foreign corporations that exist here and then ensuring a progressive taxation system for everyone. Taxing wealth would also help. But you're right, the initial capital would be an obstacle. Japan had the US to help it. Honduras would not.

[@niksutliff]

To paraphrase a quote from a Mexican president: "Pity Honduras. So far from God, so close to the United States."

[@TheBonusHunter]

Mad respect to drugs, continually winning the war on drugs!

[@mattim5463]

That last statement is very true: the root of the problem is the war on drug itself.

[@beaub650]

THATS THE ROOT?!?! Why was there a war on drugs?!!!? What prompted it?!?!

[@mattim5463]

@@beaub650 Long story short: US gov made pretty much every recreational drugs illegal in the 60s to kill the anti-war movement, some guys swopped in to fill the void, because there was high demand. 70s-80s cocaine become more popular and demand super high. Because it was illegal, same guys became cartels and provided the product. War on drugs was on, so cartels adapted to fullfil the high demand. War on drugs created the violence we know now, because gangs and cartels fight to control the distribution. Whenever the authorities take out an supplier, a void is created, gangs/cartels will fight to fill in the void to gain control, therefore upping the violence. The logic being: the more violent and ruthless, the less people will want to mess with you. It's an ongoing circle of violence basically.

[@Acanofalconpunch]

​​@@mattim5463why you got to lie to that guy? It's because of the sales. That's all it is it's about the money. It's not to quell anti-war citizens. That makes no sense. We have places in the U.S that drug possession isn't a crime. Guess what? Still raise in crime and then working class? Leaving. Try again.

[@billurrego1000]

Sería interesante entender la relación entre la injerencia de los gobiernos imperialistas de Estados Unidos sobre centro américa y su relación con la migración y la descomposición social de estos países.

[@oldwiseoul]

EEUU no tiene la culpa, la culpa la tiene la gente corrupt del mismo lugar....

[@WhenAllMenDoubtYou]

It would be interesting if Latin American countries would stop blaming the US for all of its problems and actually improve.

[@Strangernightg]

@@WhenAllMenDoubtYou That's true, if they would stop playing the blame game they'd get somewhere but blaming America isn't gonna help anything cause it ain't America's fault that Central America is full of gang bangers and drug dealers. Get those in power who are corrupted out of there and see if there are any changes.

[@billurrego1000]

@@WhenAllMenDoubtYou solo es historia.

[@Dacnomaniacx]

@@WhenAllMenDoubtYou classic white american rhetoric lmao