- Sombra Negra
The "Sombra Negra" (Spanish for "Black Shadow") are
vigilante groups comprised mostly ofpolice andmilitary personnel who target criminals andgang members forvigilante justice . These vigilante groups are based inEl Salvador and are not under the official jurisdiction of the Salvadoran government.The name appeared around December 1994 in the Department of San Miguel. In April 1995, the group stated that it killed 17 people; the group stated that the dead were criminals or members of gangs [http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/QASLV99-001.pdf] .
Sombra Negra members typically tied the hands and/or thumbs of their victims behind their backs and blindfolded their victims. Later, the victims received bullets to the back of their skulls from close-range assault rifles and submachine guns. Sombra Negra members kept their faces covered and used unlicensed vehicles with darkened windows. Sombra Negra stated that it killed people because the group believed that the police could not enforce laws of El Salvador [http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/QASLV99-001.pdf] .
Targeting Mara Salvatrucha
Sombra Negra is well known for its specialty in pursuing and executing members of notorious El Salvador-based street gangs referred to as "
Mara Salvatrucha " ("MS-13"') [http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/QASLV99-001.pdf] . MS-13 members are known for covering their bodies and faces with tattoos.References
[http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/QASLV99-001.pdf U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services article about death squads that includes info on the Black Shadow]
ee also
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Los Pepes
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