The 18th Street gang in San Salvador, El Salvador is a notorious armed militia that has been reigning over its territory for decades. But their existence is rooted in a difficult history. In the mid-90’s, thousands of Salvadorans illegally living in the U.S. were deported back to their homeland. This influx of people brought with them the culture of LA gangs and deepened the problems this already poverty-stricken and war-torn country was facing.
In response to this situation, ‘18’ formed and began to organize support for its members as well as conducting a never-ending vendetta against its enemies. This ultimately helped to make El Salvador one of the most dangerous countries in terms of crime and violence.
To better understand the story behind this gang, viewers can watch ’18 With A Bullet’, a documentary which follows their lives for six months as they navigate their way through the struggles and strife of gang life in El Salvador. By the end of the film, most of those followed – including Slappy, Sochi and Travieso (the oldest member at 18) – are in prison serving lengthy sentences for their crimes.
This documentary offers an insightful look into how gangs work in Latin America and serves as an important reminder about the devastating effects that violence can have on individuals and communities alike. Through riveting footage captured on location, viewers gain an understanding of why these young men become involved with gangs, stay with them, or ultimately reject them altogether. So if you’re interested in learning more about this topic or just want to be entertained by an exciting story set against a backdrop of hardship and struggle – then ’18 With A Bullet’ is definitely worth watching!
