The transnational reach of the murderous Mara Salvatrucha extends even to the most inconsequential matters of intimidation and vengeance, La Opinion reports in this piece on the case of an L.A. woman they call "Vanesa." She was in Guatemala for a nephew's wake -- he was killed by the Maras when he fell in love with a girl in a Mara-controlled neighborhood -- when gunmen raided the gathering and killed five more people. Back in L.A., "Vanesa" worries the Maras are in communication with local gangmembers, seeking to hunt down other members of her family, including her own son.
The L.A. Times has this story about gangmembers finding redemption by going union. Weirdly, the story doesn't make the necessary distinction between "former" and "current" gangmembers, leaving the casual reader with the impression that active 'bangers are joining locals. Not nice. But for this paper, not historically surprising. In Mexico, the paper reports that the Gulf cartel's Zeta thugs, who pack gold-plated heat (see photo), are now turning on themselves.
Also in La Opinion, the story of a father who called police to report a robbery and ended up getting hauled to an immigration detention center, waiting to get deported. He would leave behind two children who are U.S.-born. The paper has been answering readers' immigration-related questions in this useful feature. Answers are supplied by the experts at CARECEN.
* Photo of Zeta guns by EPA.