Government authorities mentioned they apprehended an individual. top national figure of the Mara Salvatrucha The MS-13 gang in Virginia, which is a criminal organization. President Donald Trump labeled as a terrorist group.
The Trump administration, including Attorney General Pam Bondi of the U.S. , White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and FBI Director Kash Patel , reported the arrest on social media Thursday.
“I am delighted to share that earlier today, our courageous law enforcement officers executed a successful mission capturing an important MS-13 national leader,” stated Bondi on X. “The DOJ remains relentless in our efforts to ensure America’s safety.”
Begin your day with more knowledge. Receive all the essential news directly in your mailbox every morning.
At a press briefing, Leavitt referred to the gang leader as a "highly volatile person" who was apprehended at a residence also housing five children.
The FBI, along with help from state and local law enforcement agencies, arrested the 24-year-old suspect in Woodbridge, Virginia. Fox News It has been reported. Authorities have confirmed that the individual in question is one of the leading figures within the El Salvador-based MS-13 gang, though they have not disclosed the suspect's identity.
This represents a huge win for a more secure America," Patel stated on X after the arrest. "Justice is arriving.
Here’s what you should understand about the MS-13 gang.
MS-13 first emerged in Los Angeles, California.
MS-13 was founded in Los Angeles, California, with more than 10,000 members residing in the U.S., as reported by authorities. DOJ fact sheet The street gang was established in the 1980s by Salvadoran migrants; however, its influence expanded quickly across Central America, particularly in El Salvador and Mexico, as well as within the U.S., after members were deported.
A report indicates that between 50,000 and 70,000 MS-13 members are primarily found in urban centers across Central America or in regions elsewhere that have significant populations of people from Central America. The NCJRS virtual library states that despite being predominantly an urban phenomenon, the gang has expanded into more rural regions like Long Island and North Carolina. The report from 2018 also notes that its presence continues to grow in California.
The report states, “MS-13 resembles a social group rather than a purely criminal one because it focuses more on establishing an intimidating communal identity instead of pursuing profit through illegal activities.” It further explains, “This is a decentralized network composed of various segments lacking a singular figurehead or structured leadership overseeing daily operations and actions within the gang.”
The report states that "violent behavior" lies at the heart of MS-13’s activities, making the gang a primary focus for law enforcement in the U.S. The study also revealed that one of the key ways the group generates income is through violent intimidation tactics like extortion.
Federal officials identified MS-13 as a transnational criminal organization , which the FBI identifies As an organization operating beyond national boundaries and engaging in unlawful acts for financial gain, this entity encompasses various illicit operations such as drug dealing, people smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering, gunrunning, illegal betting, blackmail, poaching, online criminal activity, along with producing and distributing fake products.
Trump named MS-13 designated terrorists
On January 20, President Trump issued an executive order labeling eight Latin American cartels as "foreign terrorist organizations." These included groups such as Tren de Aragua from Venezuela and MS-13 from El Salvador, among others.
Members of MS-13 have faced accusations and convictions for prominent murders, abductions, and drug smuggling across the Americas, spanning locations such as Long Island, Washington, D.C., and California. In November 2024, a A superseding indictment was made public in a Brooklyn federal courthouse. For accusations related to killings reportedly orchestrated and carried out by top figures, members, and affiliates of MS-13.
"My office and our law enforcement collaborators have put relentless effort into ensuring MS-13 faces consequences for the unimaginable damage inflicted upon their targets and neighborhoods. The recent indictments underscore that our commitment to pursuing those involved won’t wane over time nor succumb to MS-13’s desperate efforts to remain concealed," stated U.S. Attorney Breon Peace last November. "This latest legal action further undermines MS-13’s hierarchy and showcases our ongoing mission to disassemble this organization from its peak down to its foundation.”
In the early stages of President Trump’s term, MS-13 frequently came up as part of his administration's efforts to enforce stricter immigration policies. This focus was notably aimed at individuals coming from Central America and those residing in so-called “sanctuary cities,” where local authorities refrained from cooperating fully with federal immigration officials.
Trump frequently referred to the supposed gang members as " animals In 2020, more than a dozen MS-13 members faced indictment for terrorism offenses linked to their suspected participation in organized criminal activities across the U.S., Mexico, and El Salvador throughout the last twenty years.
El Salvador experienced an all-time low in homicide rates as part of their battle against MS-13 and other criminal organizations.
As MS-13 members face prosecution within the United States, both this gang and its LA-born adversary, 18th Street, have become primary targets under El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele's campaign against criminal activity. The nation has seen thousands detained in connection with these efforts, resulting in a significant reduction of violent crimes; notably, homicide rates dropped to just 114 cases in 2024, marking an all-time low for the year. Associated Press reported.
Bukele stated that El Salvador experienced 1.9 murders for every 100,000 individuals, indicating that the nation has one of the lowest rates among all Latin American countries in 2023, as reported by the AP.
Earlier this month, charges against Cesar Lopez-Larios, another MS-13 leader, were dismissed by the U.S. so he could be deported to El Salvador under an agreement with Bukele.
The article initially appeared on USA TODAY: The Trump administration apprehended a highly volatile head of a major street gang. Who is MS-13?