This narrative serves as a stark example of how the U.S. foreign policy choices, particularly in the late 20th century, directly contributed to the creation and exacerbation of violent organizations like MS-13. The breakdown involves three critical themes: foreign intervention, unintended consequences (blowback), and systemic cycles of violence. Let’s delve into each aspect more deeply:

1. U.S. Foreign Intervention in El Salvador:

• Historical Context: The U.S. was deeply involved in the Salvadoran Civil War in the 1980s and 1990s, backing the Salvadoran government against leftist insurgents who were supported by Cuba and the Soviet Union. The U.S. framed this as part of the broader Cold War strategy to prevent the spread of communism.
• The Role of Military Aid: The U.S. provided not only arms but also military training to the Salvadoran forces, some of whom were later involved in human rights abuses and violence against civilians. The U.S. intervention extended beyond just military supplies—it was also a tacit endorsement of the government’s brutal tactics, which further fueled public resentment and violence.
• Indirect Consequences: While the U.S. may have seen its intervention as a necessary step in a geopolitical chess game, it set the stage for the destabilization of El Salvador. The social fabric was torn apart, and many Salvadorans were forced to flee the country to escape violence. This displacement created the conditions for a gang culture to emerge in Los Angeles.

2. Formation of MS-13 in the U.S.:

• Immigrant Experience: The Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles, primarily young men who had fled the brutalities of the civil war, faced racial discrimination, poverty, and lack of support. With little access to social services or protection from local authorities, they formed groups for self-defense. This is when MS-13 was born.
• Military Influence: The turning point in MS-13’s evolution came when members with military training—many of whom had been trained by U.S. Green Berets in El Salvador—brought these tactics to the streets of L.A. The gang’s structure, discipline, and violent methods mirrored military strategies, allowing them to grow quickly.
• “Survival” Dynamics: MS-13 wasn’t merely a gang of young, disillusioned individuals; it was a survival mechanism. These individuals, driven by trauma, lack of family structure, and desperation, relied on the protection of gang affiliation. In this context, the U.S. didn’t just create a migration crisis; it also created a culture of fear and survival, leading to the formation of violent organizations.

3. Blowback: U.S. Deportation and MS-13’s Rise in El Salvador:

• Deportation Policies: Under the Clinton administration in the 1990s, a massive wave of deportations occurred, with thousands of immigrants, including many MS-13 members, being sent back to El Salvador. These deportees brought with them the gang culture from Los Angeles, turning El Salvador into a hotbed for the gang’s expansion.
• Arming the Gang: At the same time, the U.S. had flooded the region with weapons during its support of the Salvadoran government. These weapons didn’t disappear after the civil war ended. In fact, they became available for gang leaders who now controlled black markets, trafficking, and other criminal enterprises. MS-13 capitalized on this, further entrenching its grip on El Salvador.
• Cycle of Violence and Recruitment: The combination of deported gang members, easily accessible weapons, and a generation of young men with little hope or opportunity made El Salvador fertile ground for MS-13 to solidify its control. The gang didn’t just continue to exist—it thrived in the chaos that had been created by U.S. policies.

4. U.S. Responsibility and Global Consequences:

• The Concept of Blowback: The U.S. government often acts with short-term goals in mind—defeating communist insurgencies, containing specific threats, or bolstering allies. However, it frequently overlooks the long-term consequences of these actions. This is known as blowback, and it’s a term that encapsulates the unintended negative effects of interventionist policies.
• Interconnectedness of U.S. Policies: The narrative shows how U.S. foreign policies don’t just impact a singular region or issue. When the U.S. intervenes in one country—be it through military support, arms sales, or deportation—these actions can have ripple effects across continents. The story of MS-13 exemplifies this. A gang that started in Los Angeles in the early 80s now operates globally because of a series of U.S. actions that shaped its creation and growth.
• Systemic Cycles of Violence: What the narrative emphasizes is the systemic nature of the violence created by U.S. involvement. It’s not just about a single policy or decision but the cumulative effect of multiple, interconnected actions. U.S. policies created the violent conditions in El Salvador, allowed those conditions to spill over into the U.S., and then exported that violence back into El Salvador via deportations. This feedback loop perpetuates violence and instability, both in the U.S. and in the countries it intervenes in.

5. The Broader Implications for U.S. Global Engagement:

• Historical Amnesia and Accountability: The breakdown calls attention to how the U.S. often fails to acknowledge the full consequences of its policies, especially in its foreign interventions. There’s a dangerous amnesia about the long-term effects of actions like military support or arms distribution, and this lack of accountability continues to shape U.S. foreign policy today.
• Narrative Control and Global Influence: The U.S. controls much of the global narrative by defining the terms of engagement—who is a “victim,” who is a “threat,” and who is “responsible.” This power dynamics heavily influences global responses to crises. However, what’s missing from this narrative is a willingness to own up to the role the U.S. plays in causing these crises in the first place.
• The Role of American Exceptionalism: The idea that the U.S. operates from a position of moral superiority can often obscure the fact that its interventions abroad can create as many problems as they solve. There’s a contradiction between projecting the image of a protector of global peace and the reality of its role in creating and exacerbating international conflicts.

Conclusion:

The breakdown reveals the complexity of U.S. foreign interventionism and its often hidden consequences. The story of MS-13’s creation isn’t just about a gang or a region; it’s about the long-term ripple effects of foreign policy, where the U.S. played a direct role in creating the conditions for violence to thrive both in El Salvador and the United States. The cycle of violence, fueled by U.S. actions, shows how international engagement, when done without foresight or accountability, can lead to unintended—and sometimes catastrophic—outcomes that perpetuate violence for generations.