Editor's Choice - Pictures of the Day - June 11, 2011
The Mara Salvatrucha, or M -13 gang, originated in Los Angeles in the Central American community, but has spread to other parts of the U.S., Canada, Central America and Mexico. Some former members pose during a photo session at Comayagua jail in Honduras for Reuters photographer Edgard Garrido.
"El Recio" (The Tough One or The Hard One) is a 32-year-old former leader of the M-13, and has been in and out of jail since he was 12. He is currently serving a sentence for various crimes including murder, extortion and drug trafficking. As a former leader of a gang, he has tattoos on his face and other visible body parts indicating his rank in the gang and respect on the streets.
"El Diablo" (The Devil) is a 28-year-old former member of the M-13 gang. He is currently serving a life sentence for various crimes including murder, extortion and illegal possession of weapons.
since they are no longer part of the gang do they regret the tattoos?
Posted by: marie | 06/12/2011 at 12:50 PM
Those tattoos will look very out of place when they're senior citizens.
Posted by: Alex Nosal | 06/12/2011 at 04:03 PM
Looks like a new take on data storage for people who lead hectic lives, squeezed for time but forced to transport time sensitive information on an accessible, cross-platform medium with a low-tech, battery free storage solution. Next, global retailers could step in with tattoo marketing, human billboards in the flesh. Priceless.
Posted by: Stefan De Cordoba | 06/13/2011 at 09:06 AM
If these are former members and leaders of gangs, how are they able to survive in jail? Gangs don't just let people get up and leave.
Posted by: tp | 06/13/2011 at 09:19 AM