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 Home > Gang Library > Surenos
| Surenos
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Surenos is an organization of different Hispanic street gangs, many of which
have a presence at the national level. Originating from a jail conflict between
the Mexican Mafia, known as La Eme, and the Nuestra Familia, Surenos is a term
that has come to describe a gang’s allegiance with the Mexican Mafia and other
Hispanic gangs from Southern California. The term “Surenos” means Southern in
Spanish. Mara Salvatrucha 13, SUR 13, 18th Street and South Side Locos are all
examples of Surenos gangs active in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. |
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Identification |
Surenos members represent themselves with a number of phrases and symbols, i.e.
“SUR 13”, “Sureno Trece” and “Los Surenos.” Additional identifications include
the color blue, the numerical number 13, representing the alphabet letter M,
standing for the Mexican Mafia, and XIII.
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Membership |
Surenos membership numbers in the hundreds of thousands nationally and is
composed of hundreds of gangs originating from the Southern California area.
Membership is primary composed of Hispanic males between the ages of 13 and 28.
In recent years female membership has increased as well as the recruitment and
targeting of elementary school children.
Despite Southern California gangs swearing an allegiance and truce under the
umbrella term “Surenos”, several of the gangs continue to rival one another in
the capital region; the most public rivalry being between Mara Salvatrucha 13
and 18th Street. |
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