Sombra Negra is well known murdering people it claims are part of organizations referred to as
Maras or "gangs"—even if they move and do their business in the United States, particularly Los Angeles.
Sombra Negra targets both
MS-13 and its rival
18th Street Gang. As of 2014, an increase in gang violence following the
collapse of a gang truce has sparked a revival of activity for these death squads. Only 19 days into January 2019, El Salvador had already seen 200 murders across the country.
Sombra Negra claimed that all the murders were caused by gang activity. They claim that the common people are tired of the constant murders and mourning and label the gangs as terrorists. The death squad has expanded its area of operation to El Salvador’s neighboring countries of
Honduras and
Guatemala to rid the three countries of the
Northern Triangle.
Notable killings In 2014, the year
Sombra Negra reemerged, members of the death squad dressed in all black clothing armed with
M16 assault rifles raided a house of seven people, four of whom being members of MS-13. The four members were captured and tortured by
Sombra Negra. All four were then killed with a single bullet to the back of the head. A few days following the attack, leaflets were posted in El Salvador demanding members of MS-13 to “leave within five days or face certain death.” On 25 January 2019,
Sombra Negra murdered two members of MS-13. The first was in Paraíso de Osorio,
La Paz, where police found the gang member's corpse in a creek with his hands tied behind his back, legs tied together, gagged, and a bullet in his head. Next to the body was a sign which read "La
Sombra Negra ha llegado a Paraíso de Osorio. Ratas de la MS llegó su fin." (The
Sombra Negra has arrived to Paraíso de Osorio. MS rats your time has come). The second was in San Jorge,
San Miguel, with the body found in similar conditions. == In popular culture ==