OVERVIEW

Barrio 18

Barrio 18, a.k.a. 18th Street in the United States, is one of the most violent criminal gangs in the Western Hemisphere and has attacked security personnel and public officials in Central American countries. It was formed as a street gang in Los Angeles, California, by Mexican immigrants in the late 1950s. Barrio 18 began to recruit members of other nationalities in the 1980s, and the gang expanded internationally after many of its members were deported from Los Angeles to Central American countries in the 1990s. Barrio 18 mostly operates as loosely organized cells or “cliques,” some of which report to a “program” leader who oversees the gang’s activity in a region. Imprisoned Barrio 18 leaders often continue to coordinate the gang’s activities while in custody.

OPERATING AREAS
Primarily in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and the United States; is also present in Canada, Italy, and Spain

MEMBERS
Probably tens of thousands

TACTICS AND TARGETS
Barrio 18 engages in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and acts of violence, including murders. It exerts control over local populations through extortion and intimidation. Barrio 18 often fights with MS-13 for operating space, and it maintains a close relationship with the Mexican Mafia prison gang.

TERRORIST GROUP DESIGNATION
The US State Department designated Barrio 18 a foreign terrorist organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity in September 2025.

KEY LEADERS

NOTABLE ATTACKS